Thousands have the violence in central Mali
In a few days’ time, UK Armed Forces will step off the plane to begin a vital United Nations mission in Mali. Three hundred troops, led by the Light Dragoons, will join an international force of sixty different nations to help bring peace to a country riven by conflict.
Mali is one of the most volatile countries on the African continent — with terrorist aggression colliding with political instability. The Sahel has been a transit route for illegal and irregular migration and across the region more than 3 million have been displaced.
It is in the UK’s interests to act. History shows global threats from terrorist groups require an international response. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK has always taken responsibility for strengthening international stability.
So it’s right we again step forward with African partners and key allies like France and Germany to restore law and order in Mali.
Armed with cutting edge technology, our personnel will employ that expertise to gather key intelligence so the various mission headquarters can plan and respond to the danger. This is a difficult, dangerous and complex mission in a vast country covering almost 480,000 square miles.
In the past two decades our forces have provided vital humanitarian aid in Kosovo, led NATO efforts to stop genocide in the former Yugoslavia, fought Ebola in Sierra Leone and built UN hospitals in South Sudan.
In March they brought tons of aid to Syrian families in desperate need. In June, they delivered key components to Ghana for the building of a hospital to treat coronavirus victims. In August, a Royal Navy vessel was the first international ship to reach the Beirut explosion. And last month, as Storm Eta bore down on Honduras and Belize, our sailors and Royal Marines again came to the rescue.
A government has many levers to aid the oppressed, alleviate suffering and help those most in need. But our greatest chance of success lies in shaping a world in which the values we cherish – justice, tolerance and liberty – are free to flourish. Britain has long been committed to such a world. But guarding those precious values depends upon strong defence. We can’t tackle climate change or world poverty or violence against women without addressing the underlying conflicts that exacerbate those problems.
And the world is becoming more unstable. Since the beginning of the last decade the number of major violent conflicts has tripled. Democracy is in decline. Britain has two choices: step back or step up. Last month the Prime Minister chose the latter, announcing the largest increase in UK defence spending since the end of the Cold War. It means an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years to modernise our forces – ensuring they will be more active, more engaged and ready right where they are needed most.
So the troops touching down in Mali will be sending a message to our allies and adversaries alike. In years to come Global Britain won’t be sitting on the side-lines.
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