A legendary singer/songwriter/storyteller who always supported the U.S. military and frequently appeared at USO shows was once asked if in military terms he was a "hawk" and he thoughtfully replied, "No, but I am a Dove with claws." The dove with claws analogy is sound as policy makers determine what actions to take to reclaim the Mali area north from Timbuctu to Gao and what to do about increasing tensions in the Sahel. Both a military and a peace plan should be developed. Decisions made within the next few weeks will not only greatly impact Mali, but the entire Sahel and it is not hyperbole to say even all of Africa and U.S. relations. Not only is military action being prepared against brutal religious jealouts who impose their own beliefs on others, but a peace plan should also be developed that includes a Sahel Freedom Fund that concentrates on the Mali/Niger/Mauritania area, but also spans across the Sahel from Somalia to Mauritania and perhaps even the Western Sahara.
In a recent security council vote, the United Nations Security Council has approved military force and in view of the brutality of the Jihadists, their occupation of the land from Timbuctu and Gao north and the suppression of the indigenous people living in the area, the force is justified. That does not mean it will be easy, or if it will be successful, or even if it will occur. Details related to the size of a force, supply and support troops necessary, and the actual number of foreign fighters in northern Mali, are not known at this time but are being worked out. No military force is better than the United States and working in conjunction with the French and African troops, it is quite certain a sizable , well supported military force will be assembled and once it is started will move quickly to control the area. Casualties will likely occur, but there should be little doubt that the western technical advisors and African troops will prevail.
Unknown and not very predictable is the political consequence.
While they may not publicly applaud the military force, many Africans
will privately support and appreciate the U.S. led effort. They look to
the U.S. for leadership, strength and guidance and they well recognize
the terrorism that is occurring in the desert and how it could expand.
That is one of the reasons why the Pentagon will soon start sending U.S.
military teams to a high percentage of African nations to train host
country troops in military and counter-terrorism techniques. African
governments and population groups across the Sahel are and will face
similar threats and human values of democracy and freedom will be even
more difficult to achieve as religious beliefs will dictate how the
people should live and behave. Freedom to work and achieve will not be
possible. It is feared that military action will polarize populations
even more, destabalize Mali even more, and have negative consequences
for the participating African governments. The choice, however, seems
clear that the present situation in northern Mali cannot be allowed to
continue.
At the same time as the military preparations are underway, planning and implementation should start for peace. While there is a history of tribal conflict throughout the Sahel, there also is a great cultural, intellectual and survival skill record. Entrepreneurial skills and the desire for dignity in the desert is very common. Ranging from Somalia to Mauritania, desert populations have learned how to live, and sometimes flourish, in some of the most difficult global environments. Acute droughts and famine, along with the conflicts, have taken their toll, but when individuals or populations have been able to earn a living and support their family and community, huge differences have been made. There often are other ways to resolve conflicts than armed force.
At the same time as the military preparations are underway, planning and implementation should start for peace. While there is a history of tribal conflict throughout the Sahel, there also is a great cultural, intellectual and survival skill record. Entrepreneurial skills and the desire for dignity in the desert is very common. Ranging from Somalia to Mauritania, desert populations have learned how to live, and sometimes flourish, in some of the most difficult global environments. Acute droughts and famine, along with the conflicts, have taken their toll, but when individuals or populations have been able to earn a living and support their family and community, huge differences have been made. There often are other ways to resolve conflicts than armed force.
In 1990, during the height of a brutal internal conflict in
Mozambique, the St. Eligio Society of Rome began an intervention with
the competing parties, Frelimo and Renamo. The Frelimo/Renamo conflict
had resulted in more deaths and injuries than the Khmer Rouge had
inflicted in Camboidia. Families, land and resources were destroyed,
but after prolonged skilled negotiations, both sides agreed to end the
conflict and hold democratic elections. American and African
representatives were assigned to work with each party and help them
transform from military entitles to democratic parties. The
negotiations and the implementation worked and now Mozambique is one of
the shining stars of Africa. Negotiations can work if all the parties
involved want to seek a resolution and if sensitive, skilled negotiators
are assigned to work with the individuals and parties involved. Both
elements are essential. Negotiating parties can often resolve issues
better if they go to a neutral area.
While humanitarian assistance is common throughout the Sahel area, long term gift aid creates a dependency that is extremely difficult to stop. Traditional development theory adopts the Maslow hierarchy of needs listing food and lodging as the priorities and while those priorities are correct, it does not mean that human respect and dignity has to be compromised by continuously providing free food and lodging. Sometimes necessary, yes, but the development component should also include the self actualization theme of an individual working to earn what they have. In collaboration with the European Union, western nationa should establish a Sahel Freedom Fund, which would concentrate on economic development, including water well maintenance and constructtion, and life skill training. All of the western nations have a stake in helping to ensure peace in the Sahel area and all should contribute.
Administration of the Sahel Freedom Fund could be handled by the African Union or perhaps even better the President Nelson Mandela co-chaired group called the Africa Forum; however, in any circumstances the administrative body must be closely monitored and have as a criteria low overhead and high results. Along with the military planning, there needs to be an overall Marshall type plan developed to constrain the turmoil, tension, and terrorism from spreading.
While humanitarian assistance is common throughout the Sahel area, long term gift aid creates a dependency that is extremely difficult to stop. Traditional development theory adopts the Maslow hierarchy of needs listing food and lodging as the priorities and while those priorities are correct, it does not mean that human respect and dignity has to be compromised by continuously providing free food and lodging. Sometimes necessary, yes, but the development component should also include the self actualization theme of an individual working to earn what they have. In collaboration with the European Union, western nationa should establish a Sahel Freedom Fund, which would concentrate on economic development, including water well maintenance and constructtion, and life skill training. All of the western nations have a stake in helping to ensure peace in the Sahel area and all should contribute.
Administration of the Sahel Freedom Fund could be handled by the African Union or perhaps even better the President Nelson Mandela co-chaired group called the Africa Forum; however, in any circumstances the administrative body must be closely monitored and have as a criteria low overhead and high results. Along with the military planning, there needs to be an overall Marshall type plan developed to constrain the turmoil, tension, and terrorism from spreading.
Lloyd O. Pierson lived in Africa for over seven years and has literally been in thousands of villages throughout the Continent. He has headed two U.S. Government agencies, and was named to senior administrative positions by three U.S. Presidents. He was nominated by President George W. Bush as the Assistant Administrator for Africa at USAID and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He remains very active on Africa issues.
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