Coup d'etat in Mali

[politicus]

Why does everyone have to be "clearly FF" or "clearly not FF"?

They don't. There is an element of FF in most rebel movements, as well as an element of oppression.
You can be a FF in one respect and an oppressor in another. Often FFs become the new oppressors themselves. Like Mao or Mugabe.

[True Federalist]

Cissé is a northerner, of course; a Songhai I suppose?

I searched and while I didn't find anything definitive on his ethnicity, what I did find indicates that Cissé is a surname in use among the Mande peoples.  Possibly it is more widely used, but if not then he couldn't be Songhai.

In any case, given Cissé's politics, he will not be in favor of a separate Azawad.

[Vasall des Midas]

Cissé is a northerner, of course; a Songhai I suppose?

I searched and while I didn't find anything definitive on his ethnicity, what I did find indicates that Cissé is a surname in use among the Mande peoples.

Certainly not exclusively. A quick search found Fula and Wolof people by the name. Of course, West African languages/peoples are not actually endogamous groups or anything, which is a large part of the reason why such info isn't widely available for townsfolk - their ethnicity is frequently not clearly defined (and countries certainly aren't encouraging ethnic definition, what with the threat to "national" unity and all).

In any case, given Cissé's politics, he will not be in favor of a separate Azawad.

No, of course not.
There was peace or near-peace in the north for the first twenty years of democracy though - as long as Touareg had some hope that democracy might lead to a fairer treatment of their grievances. here (second half) is a current interview with him on the issue, bearing in mind that he's running for President again.

[True Federalist]

Mali coup leader rejects possible Ecowas intervention

Looks like Capt. Sanogo isn't planning on handing everything back to a civilian government after all.

The West African regional bloc Ecowas has said it is preparing a force of up to 3,000 soldiers, which could be deployed to wrest back control of the north.

Last week, Capt Sanogo formally asked for Ecowas's help in defeating the rebels, but in televised remarks on Monday night he said he was only asking for equipment and logistical support.

[Vasall des Midas]

Ansar Dine captures Tombouctou.

Um.

[Senator Snowstalker]

I think a new country's on the horizon.

[Simfan34]

I think a new country's on the horizon.

This already happened.

[Jbrase]

I must have missed all of this. I thought there was just a coup, is a it a civil war now?

[Simfan34]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azawad

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Ansar Dine is destroying heritage sites in Timbuktu. Sad. And this was just recently part of a 2,3 Freedom House country. For once the US picked the right side in this war.

[Simfan34]

Well I suppose once these guys get to the Djenne mosque we'll feel an urge to do something.

[True Federalist]

Well I suppose once these guys get to the Djenne mosque we'll feel an urge to do something.

Djenne is not in Azawad, and even it were, the Islamists aren't targeting mosques in general but those that function as Sufi shrines.  While there are two tombs that are part of the Djenne mosque, I'm doubtful that even if the Islamists take the town that they would destroy the while mosque.

[Vasall des Midas]

They wouldn't be able to hold it long if they tried. Djenné feels kinda strongly about the place.

[Senator Snowstalker]

Sad to see the destruction of such priceless monuments.