Ecowas Plots Joint Forces Deployment To North Mali

West African nations are plotting strategies for deploying a regional military force to Mali, including a mission into the country's Islamist-seized north, a regional official said today.

Toga Gayewea McIntosh, Vice President of the commission for the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), spoke after Mali and the regional bloc reached a partial agreement over conditions for an eventual deployment.

"I think the discussion is simply on the tactical aspect now," he told AFP. "We are deeply concerned about what's happening there and we are also concerned about the need to act fast."
He said the ECOWAS position was that the troops would deploy into the north.

"That's what the heads of state are talking about -- we're talking about the entire territory," said McIntosh.

ECOWAS has been jostling for weeks seeking an end to the Malian crisis, which has raised concerns about regional stability and seen Mali split in two after Islamist extremists seized control of the north after a March coup.

ECOWAS has 3,300 regional troops on standby but wants UN approval and has been awaiting the go-ahead from Mali, which has been worried about foreign troops flooding into the capital Bamako and only wants the fighters to provide a supporting role.

Yesterday, Malian Defence Minister Yamoussa Camara said Mali is now prepared for ECOWAS troops to be based in Bamako.