SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 : (MEETING ON MALI) The military chiefs of 15 West Africa nations have begun deliberations to “finalize a roadmap” for an armed intervention in Mali, whose northern half is occupied by al-Qaida-linked Islamists.
Interim President Dioncounda Traore on Sept. 1 asked the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, for air support to destroy rebel bases and for five battalions to help reconquer northern towns. The meeting’s agenda includes a review of that request and a presentation of a deployment plan.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...-———West African Military Chiefs Meet to Plan Mali Move, ABC ^ | September 14, 2012 | AP
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2012 5:15:10 PM by JerseyanExile
Thanks Piasa for updating this thread.
Background history is priceless.