MaliMali crisis will be the topic of Thursday House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing
The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, 14 February, entitled, The Crisis in Mali: U.S. Interests and the International Response. “Today in Mali, you have battle-hardened, al-Qaeda-affiliated militants, armed to the teeth with weapons from Qadhafi’s stockpile, seeking safe haven,” said Representative Ed Royce (R-California), the committee chairman.
Representative Ed Royce (R-California), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that he will convene a hearing on Thursday, 14 February, entitled, The Crisis in Mali: U.S. Interests and the International Response.
Royce said:
Islamist militancy has been growing in Mali and other parts of North Africa for years. It took decisive action by the French to get many — including the Obama Administration – to focus on this shared threat.
Today in Mali, you have battle-hardened, al-Qaeda-affiliated militants, armed to the teeth with weapons from Qadhafi’s stockpile, seeking safe haven. In portions of the country, militants began carrying out amputations and public executions, along with the destruction of indigenous culture. No wonder the French intervention was welcomed by terrorized Malians.
This hearing will allow the Committee to press the Obama Administration for a policy that allows us the best chance to work with African forces to rid the region of militants.
Note that all Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feedwww.foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.
