Film “Sahara” had plot spun around civil conflict between Mali Government and rebelling Tuareg tribes. Unfortunately conflict has again broken out - fighting between the Tuareg liberation movement MNLA (Mouvement National de Liberation de l'Azawad) and Government forces resumed on 17 January, breaking a 2009 agreement that had officially ended the Tuareg rebellion. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has deployed staff to assist some 20,000 people who have been forced to flee fighting between Government troops and rebel Tuareg groups in Mali. What Causes Behind New Outbreak – More Complex than Film “Sahara” The film “Sahara” starring Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz and William H. Macey among a star-studded cast intertwined toxic dumping by a European multinationals, local corruption, a murderous tyrant, disease epidemic, the UN’s WHO and a treasure hunt for a US Civil War Confederate submarine. All, perhaps the last, have plagued much of West Africa’s states over the last couple of decades – see Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leonne among others. However, in this conflict the causes are almost indiscernible compared to the consequences of death, suffering and refugees fleeing homes. Mali’s Neighbors Becoming Overwhelmed: “In the past three weeks, at least 10,000 people are reported to have crossed to Niger, 9,000 have found refuge in Mauritania and 3,000 in Burkina Faso,” agency spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva today. Many of the new arrivals are sleeping in the open and have little access to shelter, clean water, health services, and food. While most of those who recently fled Mali are Malians, recent arrivals in Niger also include nationals of Niger who had been living in Mali for decades, Mr. Edwards noted. Many have been crossing the border between the two countries regularly to find grazing land for their cattle. Mr. Edwards said the new arrivals entering Mauritania told UNHCR that they fled fighting between Government forces and rebel Tuareg fighters, and feared retaliation by army troops. The Mauritanian authorities, with UNHCR’s help, are taking care of the new arrivals, whose key needs include food, shelter and other basic items. The agency plans to field an emergency support team to boost its presence in the country. See Mali Film Report –“Mali: New Energy/Old Vibrancy” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/mali-new-energy-old-vibrancy/24018 See Mali Film Report –“Mali Electricity & Crickets”- diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/mali-electricity-crickets/24796 Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey - FOLOW mo @MuhamedSacirbey Facebook-Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect”





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