Mali, one year later: France's mission accomplished – but much left to do

(ChristianScienceMoniter)

Paris -  French President François Hollande, who sent troops to Mali one year ago today (Jan11)to secure the west African nation from the threat of terrorists, essentially has declared the mission accomplished. This week he announced that France will reduce its troops by another third next month to some 1,600, saying, “we now have the situation in hand.”

But even if militarily France can declare success at the one-year anniversary of its intervention, Mali is still at a daunting crossroads: facing poverty, corruption, ethnic tensions, and violence that threaten to undo gains made to secure the country.

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