http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/11/france-intervene-mali-conflict
So predictably it is France that answers the calls of Mali's current rulers for assistance against the rebels who have seized the North of the country. France has a long history of intervention in Francophone nations and former colonies. Further the Islamic platform of the rebels and their background in the Libyan conflict have alarmed international observers and led to a low-level, condemnatory media buzz around potential damage to the historic city of Timbuktu.
However, these statements are illustrative in showing Hollande's foreign policy priorities and how his government will interact with the non-European world. His support for withdrawal from Afghanistan is shown to be tactical rather than ideological. By contemplating intervention in Mali, Hollande shows that his left-wing government is not committed to a more peaceful foreign stance than his predecessor but was merely keen to cut unpopular and unwillingly adopted positions in support of American wars.
It will be interesting to see how this impacts on the war in Mali and whether Hollande follows through on his statements of support for the government of this embattled state.
[Edit] - Now that was quick. Hollande has confirmed that French troops are already in the country and are supporting the Mali army. No mention of how many or what they are up to yet.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20991719
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