Mali: Prime Minister's Arrest Puts Intervention Planning on Hold

The overthrow of Malian Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra will delay plans for a Western-backed and African-led military intervention to recover Malian territory from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its local proxies. It was likely those plans that led to Diarra's arrest and subsequent resignation as he was preparing to leave for France early Dec. 11. For legal and political reasons, the West and Africa will likely suspend their cooperation with the Malian regime until a new civilian-led government is established. This setback in the intervention planning will give al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb significant room to prepare for the eventual intervention.