The Northern Mali Conflict
The Northern Mali conflict refers to the armed military encounters that began in January 2012. On January 16, 2012 several groups began fighting a campaign against the Malian government for independence. Western Mali now fears that the Islamists will utilize the rest of the country to disrupt West African as a whole. Recently, “heavily armed gunmen shouting ‘Alluhu akbar’ stormed a Radisson Blu Hotel” (Searcey). The attack in Bamako November 20, 2015, resulted in 21 people dead and about 170 hostages. Two of the people found dead were militants. Later in the week, it was discovered that about 30 people were able to escape during the siege. An African jihadi group took responsibility for the attack. Only three days after the attack the Malian
government released photographs of the bodies of the two attackers. Yet, a week later two Malian men were arrest for connection to the attack. In a broader sense, the list of no-fly zones has been increasing over the years. There are areas in the East that are prohibited such as, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Syria, and Iraq. Yet, there are other areas that “Airspace restricted” (Soulsby). These areas include Sudan, Congo, and Mali. Even more recently, on December 7, 2015, The U.S. Department of State warned U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Mali. The department also reminded U.S. citizens in Mali to stay vigilant and to avoid public gatherings. Michelle used to be able to take her Brown students to Mali to learn and experience the Malian culture, dance, and music for themselves. However, because of the air restrictions in Mali, she is no longer able to do so. She spoke about this subject in class and how much it enraged her. She told us the media makes Mali seem to be a much more dangerous place than it really is. As long as people do not travel to cities and stay within the small communities and compounds they will be safe. The air restrictions now gives Michelle the opportunity to bring her students to Wheaton to TA the West African dance class taught by Seydou. Although, the students take multiple West African dance classes a week, one class a week taught by a Malian dancer is not the same as traveling to the actual country. Hopefully, in the future she will be able to take her students to Mali again to experience the true culture.
government released photographs of the bodies of the two attackers. Yet, a week later two Malian men were arrest for connection to the attack. In a broader sense, the list of no-fly zones has been increasing over the years. There are areas in the East that are prohibited such as, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Syria, and Iraq. Yet, there are other areas that “Airspace restricted” (Soulsby). These areas include Sudan, Congo, and Mali. Even more recently, on December 7, 2015, The U.S. Department of State warned U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Mali. The department also reminded U.S. citizens in Mali to stay vigilant and to avoid public gatherings. Michelle used to be able to take her Brown students to Mali to learn and experience the Malian culture, dance, and music for themselves. However, because of the air restrictions in Mali, she is no longer able to do so. She spoke about this subject in class and how much it enraged her. She told us the media makes Mali seem to be a much more dangerous place than it really is. As long as people do not travel to cities and stay within the small communities and compounds they will be safe. The air restrictions now gives Michelle the opportunity to bring her students to Wheaton to TA the West African dance class taught by Seydou. Although, the students take multiple West African dance classes a week, one class a week taught by a Malian dancer is not the same as traveling to the actual country. Hopefully, in the future she will be able to take her students to Mali again to experience the true culture.