No request from Mali on insurgents–US
by Ademola Oni, Stuggart, Germany
The
Commander, United States of Africa’s Command in Stuttgart, Germany,
Gen. Carter Ham, on Friday said the embattled military government in
Mali did not request the assistance of the US to tackle the militias in
the West African country.
Ham, during an interview with the
Nigerian Media Delegation to AFRICOM, Stuttgart, said the Malian
government requested France to help it in warding off the marauding
militants.
The commander was reacting to questions
on why the US government did not have its troops in Mali despite being
aware of the threats posed by the invaders to regional and continental
peace.
Ham, who attended the interview with his
civilian deputy, explained that since the Malian government did not
request the assistance of the US, it would not be appropriate for the
American government to directly deploy troops in Mali.
He said, “The point is that Mali did not
request the assistance or help of the US government; it asked for help
from France. We cannot force ourselves to send troops to Mali. It is an
expensive exercise. And France asked for the help of the US.”
Source: The Punch
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