The Islamic radicals have alienated the local people and the Tureg Tribesmen. Without popular support the Islamic groups will have a hard time holding off a modern European Army—Especially if the French are real bast*rds and don’t give a fig about civilian deaths. That being said—the French will need to send in more troops—maybe get some help from Germany and England as well. While they are at it they should put in a decent puppet in the nation to run it like a modern state.
There are few post-colonial nations in Africa that are models of anything but tribalism and savagery. If the Tuareg join with the French in expelling the Muslims, perhaps Mali will be partitioned. Who would want a big desert?