Training missions without a reform of the army would be "short-sighted" – only a political dialogue can ensure peace – refugees are waiting for help

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) criticizes plans for a European training mission for Mali’s troops to be "short-sighted". "Without a reform of the entire security sector in Mali – and without a clear political standing expressed by a legitimate government – the training mission will fail." said the STP’s expert on questions regarding Africa, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Tuesday. "It is not only the Malian army that is inadequately trained, poorly equipped, unmotivated and disunited. Mali’s politicians are in deep disagreement and are therefore not able to start a credible political dialogue with the Tuareg rebels or other neglected population groups in the north of the country." Without any accompanying negotiations, a military intervention would merely be a short-term setback for the Islamists, but it would not bring durable peace.

Today, the Minsters of Defence and Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Germany, France, Poland, Italy and Spain will meet in Paris to debate on how European military experts could train Malian soldiers. The army is supposed to receive assistance in reclaiming control over northern Mali from radical Islamists. However – according to the Society for Threatened Peoples – the military intervention objectives according to which the soldiers are supposed to be trained are still not defined. For instance, it is not yet clear whether the radical Islamic fighters are only to be driven away from the cities to give the impression that the Malian army has control over the whole country again, or whether the Islamist groups need to be defeated completely. Furthermore, there is no plan about the estimated time or necessary budget.

Germany is in favor of early elections in Mali, in order to have a legitimate partner for negotiations about a political solution to the conflict in northern Mali. "But the leaders of the West African country don’t have the political will to work on the causes of the conflict," said Delius, "Germany must insist on a dialogue with the Tuareg and other groups."

Delius also pointed out the situation of about 500,000 refugees from northern Mai who are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. They desperately need more support. So far, the International Community has provided only 49 percent of the 214 million US dollars that will be needed for relief assistance in Mali. "Military interventions and training mission will cost several times this amount," said Delius. "The humanitarian aid fund for the people of northern Mali must be raised significantly."