Desde que Francia lanzó sus ataques militares contra los
denominados rebeldes de Mali el pasado 11 de enero, el hasta entonces poco
conocido país africano (que ha estado sumido en una crisis por al menos un
año), irrumpió en todos los medios de comunicación ocupando los titulares en
todo el mundo. Al observar el desarrollo de la situación sobre el
terreno, el alto perfil asumido por las fuerzas militares de Francia incrementó
la influencia francesa en el continente africano al mismo tiempo que elevó su
estatus internacional.
Mali fue uno de los primeros países sub-saharianos en establecer lazos
diplomáticos con la República Popular de China, y desde entonces sus relaciones
mutuas han sido buenas. A su vez, China posee intereses en Mali debido a sus
proyectos de inversión.
La invasión francesa en Mali se presenta como un nuevo caso de
intervencionismo legalizado en África.
Aunque Francia se involucró en Mali bajo las banderas del anti-terrorismo,
no es exacto decir que los denominados rebeldes de Mali son terroristas. La
naturaleza del conflicto en Mali se vincula más a una guerra civil
protagonizada por distintos grupos políticos.
Si comparamos esta situación con la de otras regiones en el mundo, África es
un continente especial, donde la mayor parte de sus naciones ganaron su
independencia luego de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, y donde las fronteras entre
países fueron demarcadas principalmente por las potencias colonialistas.
Por lo tanto el sentido de la identidad y el concepto de soberanía en
algunos países africanos es bastante débil, mientras su sentido de identidad
étnica y religiosa es mucho más fuerte. Esto genera la posibilidad para que
potencias occidentales y otras fuerzas extranjeras intervengan en los asuntos
de algunos países de ese continente.
Francia ha generado un gran impacto en África y ha operado allí por un largo
período de tiempo. El ex presidente Charles de Gaulle y los sucesivos gobiernos
, todos han considerado a África como “base de avanzada” de respaldo para el
liderazgo de Francia, respecto al mantenimiento de sus intereses en los países
de habla francesa en el continente africano, remarcando el hecho de que Francia
se convertiría en un país de segunda clase sin perdiera sus intereses en
África.
Los intereses económicos de Francia no pueden ser subestimados. Por eso el
actual presidente François Hollande, quien expresó tener “mínimos
intereses en África”, revirtió su imagen de bajo perfil y resolvió intervenir
activamente en el continente.
La invasión de Mali por parte de Francia es un negocio riesgoso. Uno de los
inconvenientes es que trae a la memoria la “gendarmería africana” –el estatus
colonial de Francia.
Aunque Francia fundamentó su movimiento como un respuesta al pedido del
actual gobierno de Mali, el mismo pedido fué realizado por el presidente de la
República Central de África, que también enfrentó una ofensiva de grupos
rebeldes pero contó con la colaboración de Francia debido a la falta de interés
de parte del país galo. Francia, entonces, es responsable de actuar bajo un doble
estándar respecto de los asuntos africanos en tanto gendarme africano. Sumado a
esto, el envío de tropas a Mali agrega nuevas cargas a la economía francesa hoy
estancada.
Como resultado, la opinión internacional ha comenzado a suponer que Francia
puede estar repitiendo los tropiezos de los Estados Unidos en Afganistán. Que
Francia pueda generar algo similar a una estabilidad de largo término en Mali
es algo que está lejos de ser cierto.
Por He Wenping, Global Research/Global
Times.
23-1-2013
El autor es director de Estudios Africanos del Instituto de Estudios
Africanos y del Oeste de Asia, de la Academia China de Ciencias Sociales.
Editado por Rick Rosoff, de Stop NATO.
Versión en inglés:
Mali: France’s New Afghanistan
Since France launched military strikes against Mali rebels
on January 11, the little-known West African country, which has been
mired in a crisis for over a year, suddenly came under the media
spotlight and made headlines around the world.In view of the
developing situation on the ground, the high-profile move by French
forces has directly turned the tables and objectively enhanced France’s
influence in Africa while at the same time boosting its international
status.
Mali was one of the first sub-Saharan countries to establish
diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, and Sino-Malian
relations have been good. In addition to this, China has certain
interests in Mali through its investment projects.
[T]here is one possible cause for alarm – French forces’ involvement in Mali will provide the case for legalization of a new interventionism in Africa.
Although France became involved in Mali under the banner of anti-terrorism, it is not entirely accurate to say that Malian rebels are terrorists. The nature of the Mali issue is more akin to that of a civil war among different political groups.
Compared with other regions across the world, Africa is a special continent where a majority of nations gained independence after World War II, and the borders of each nation were mostly demarcated by its former colonial masters.
Therefore, Africans’ sense of national identity and concept of sovereignty is quite weak, while their sense of ethnic and religious identity is much stronger. This creates opportunities for Western and other outside forces to intervene in the internal affairs of African countries.
Africa is a region where France has had the deepest impact and operated for the longest period of time. Former president Charles de Gaulle and successive governments have all seen Africa as a “forward base” to support France’s leadership, regard maintaining France’s special interests in French-speaking African countries as a core of African policy, and stress that France would become a second-rate country without Africa.
Moreover, France’s direct economic interests in Mali cannot be underestimated. That’s why President François Hollande, who is said to have “the least interest in Africa,” reversed his low-key image and decided to actively intervene in the continent.
Of course, France’s involvement in Mali is still a risky business. One of the drawbacks of this action is that it brings back memories of the “African gendarmerie” – France’s colonial status.
Although France explained its move as a request from the current government, the same request from the president of the Central African Republic, which also faced an offensive from rebels, failed to get help due to France’s own interests. France then bears the blame for acting with double standards in African affairs as an African gendarmerie. In addition, committing troops to Mali brings added burdens to the stagnant French economy.
As a result, international opinion is beginning to suspect that France may be repeating the missteps of the US in Afghanistan. Whether France can create long-term stability in Mali is far from certain.
The author is a director of African Studies under the Institute of West Asian and African Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Edited by Rick Rozoff, Stop NATO
[T]here is one possible cause for alarm – French forces’ involvement in Mali will provide the case for legalization of a new interventionism in Africa.
Although France became involved in Mali under the banner of anti-terrorism, it is not entirely accurate to say that Malian rebels are terrorists. The nature of the Mali issue is more akin to that of a civil war among different political groups.
Compared with other regions across the world, Africa is a special continent where a majority of nations gained independence after World War II, and the borders of each nation were mostly demarcated by its former colonial masters.
Therefore, Africans’ sense of national identity and concept of sovereignty is quite weak, while their sense of ethnic and religious identity is much stronger. This creates opportunities for Western and other outside forces to intervene in the internal affairs of African countries.
Africa is a region where France has had the deepest impact and operated for the longest period of time. Former president Charles de Gaulle and successive governments have all seen Africa as a “forward base” to support France’s leadership, regard maintaining France’s special interests in French-speaking African countries as a core of African policy, and stress that France would become a second-rate country without Africa.
Moreover, France’s direct economic interests in Mali cannot be underestimated. That’s why President François Hollande, who is said to have “the least interest in Africa,” reversed his low-key image and decided to actively intervene in the continent.
Of course, France’s involvement in Mali is still a risky business. One of the drawbacks of this action is that it brings back memories of the “African gendarmerie” – France’s colonial status.
Although France explained its move as a request from the current government, the same request from the president of the Central African Republic, which also faced an offensive from rebels, failed to get help due to France’s own interests. France then bears the blame for acting with double standards in African affairs as an African gendarmerie. In addition, committing troops to Mali brings added burdens to the stagnant French economy.
As a result, international opinion is beginning to suspect that France may be repeating the missteps of the US in Afghanistan. Whether France can create long-term stability in Mali is far from certain.
The author is a director of African Studies under the Institute of West Asian and African Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Edited by Rick Rozoff, Stop NATO
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/stopnato/ messagesStop NATO website and articles:
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