Mali has reached a deal with Tuareg separatist rebels paving the way for Malian government troops to return to the rebel-held northern town of Kidal ahead of planned elections in July, Mali's chief negotiator said on Tuesday.
The African Union may have a taboo about changing borders left over from colonial days, but we have no reason to expend efforts to defend them. If Tuaregs prove more effective in fighting jihadis, I have no problem with supporting the Tuaregs. If France wants to fight jihadis and Tuaregs, I wish them the best.
If Mali's government proves capable of fighting jihadis--which they failed to do last year when they fled the Tuareg-jihadi alliance in the north--then I have no problem supporting the Mali government.
Because fighting the jihadis is our permanent interest, I'm flexible on our friends.
