Military force is still an option to solve the Mali crisis, a top Algerian diplomat says.
In a bid to clear some media ambiguity regarding Algeria's stance on Mali, top officials say that they will use all means necessary to root out terrorism in the Sahel.
"Contrary to what is being said, Algeria is not wholly with the political solution alone," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amar Belani told APS on Thursday (October 11th) in reference to the Mali crisis. "There has been a trend recently to construe the Algerian position in a simplified way while ignoring some important elements in our vision and simply making it contradict with the position of some partners in the region."
It is "legitimate" to use all means, "including force," to eliminate terrorist groups and associated transnational organised crime in the Sahel, Belani commented.
He added, "The use of force must be carefully done to avoid any ambiguity or confusion between northern Mali's populations who have legitimate demands and the terrorist groups and drug dealers who must be the primary target because they are the source of danger that threatens the region."
The statement came in response to media comments saying that Algeria prefers dialogue with Islamists in control of northern Mali and rejects military intervention against Ansar al-Din.
"We agree on the importance of countering terrorism and organised crime using all possible means," Algerian Minister for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel said after visiting Nouakchott as part of a Sahel tour. "We also agree on resorting to dialogue to find solutions for the crisis in northern Mali."
Following a meeting with Malian Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra, Messahel said that dialogue is still the most ideal means for resolving the crisis in Mali, but it wouldn't be with terrorists, criminals, drug dealers and arms smugglers.
"Dialogue is possible with the people of Mali who have nothing at all to do with organised crime, terrorism and also separatist conflicts," Messahel said.
Algeria has already voiced its support for former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, in his new mission as the UN Secretary-General's new special envoy for the Sahel.
Prodi is tasked with "co-ordinating UN efforts to draw up and implement an integrated regional strategy for the Sahel region" which is facing major humanitarian and security problems. The former Italian premier will co-ordinate international efforts to help Sahel countries to "resolve the complex crisis, including initially focusing on Mali".
Meanwhile, the Movement for Tawhid and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) declared its rejection of any negotiations with the Bamako government and called for jihad against the Malian government and for countering the military intervention. The group called on "Muslims in Mali and neighbouring countries to support the mujahideen, and to defeat the invading infidel armies with sword and teeth in order to cool believers' hearts".
© Magharebia.com 2012
