“As of late 2012, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) supports a policy of military intervention in northern Mali, where rebel groups continue to implement various forms of governance. While there is a legal basis for an ECOWAS intervention in the north, on a practical level any military action must emanate from a legitimate national government in the south, which currently does not exist. Any intervention in Mali should first focus on ECOWAS’ policy strengths and stated objectives, including restoring civil-military relations in Bamako and supporting efforts to combat drug trafficking.”
