EU fears spill-over of Mali´s instability

As the situation in Mali, which saw a coup d’état last March, remains unstable, there are fears of a spill-over into neighbouring countries. Accordingly, in an interview with Reuters, the EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, recently warned about possible threats to the EU´s efforts to keep other Sahel states safe.  
As CTA Brussels recently reported, the EU has already suspended its development aid operations in Mali. Piebalgs, who regretted that the EU cannot do anything because of the country´s instability, underlined: “I don't believe anyone currently has access to the people there".  
He emphasized the risk of a spill-over into other parts of the Sahel, notably into neighbouring countries, and stressed the EU´s ‘Plan B’, which is intended to channel aid through United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations. He added, however, that he hoped Mali would see a political solution and a quick restoration of constitutional order, “because I can't imagine that the Plan B could be effective in the current situation".

Source: Reuters