- The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mali, Niger and Algeria, as well as Chief of Staff Deputy of Mauritania, are attending the special meeting of the joint command of their armies.
According to a colonel in the Malian army, the meeting will consider "the need to fight against insecurity in the Sahel-Sahara band with a coordination of efforts between countries." "No subject is taboo. We’ll talk about everything," the source added.
This meeting was held after the recent installation of a new base of AQIM in a forest in western Mali, near the Mauritanian border, raising fears that it is used as a basis for actions against Mauritania, one of the most affected countries by the Maghreb branch of Al Qaeda.
According to participants, the meeting should not result in a "sub-regional plan of attack now" against AQIM.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the four countries had already met in September 2010 in Tamanrasset (southern Algeria), where they have established their headquarters, and had expressed their common determination to strengthen the fight against AQIM that has increased its activities in the Sahel in recent years.
It is guilty of the attacks, including conducting kidnappings (most of the time of Western nationals) and indulges in various illegal trades.
The representatives of the armies of the four countries participating in the meeting must be received Friday by the Head of State of Mali; Amadou Toumani Toure said the Malian presidency.
Ennaharonline/ M. O.
