Latest News:  


U.S. sending military trainers to Africa for Mali mission


13:38, January 18, 2013

Key Words:Mali;French military;U.S.;military trainers;mission;Africa;

Related Reading:
>> Intervention in Malil
>> French ground troops head to north Mali as rebels resist
>> French forces heading towards Mali under military intervention
>> Germany to send two transport planes to Mali

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Thursday that it was sending military trainers to African nations committed to dispatching troops to fight the Islamic militants in Mali.

The news came as more African troops were being sent in to join the Malian and French troops in combating the militants who are running the northern part of the country and heading southward.

"Just to advise that our first ACOTA teams are en route to Africa and they will be on the continent by the weekend to start that," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing, adding they were not heading for Mali but the contributing nations to "prepare them for deployment."

The African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance ( ACOTA) program aims to train military trainers and equip African national militaries to carry out peace support operations and humanitarian relief.

France waded in Mali's conflict last week by launching air strikes on targets of the militants, a move that is advancing the deployment of African troops to the West African nation as envisaged by the UN Security Council.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Washington was still considering France's request for support as it shares the French goal of denying terrorists a safe haven in Mali and the region.

"We have some unique airlift capability and we are working with the French to provide them support in moving troops and equipment, " he said at a regular press briefing, noting Washington is providing intelligence support.

The bulk of the Africa-led intervention forces are expected to come from Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

We recommend:

Nudists rally for right to bare it all

Unforgettable moments you cannot miss in December

Bloody scenery of shark hunting

Sao Paulo faces hot weather in January

Finland celebrates Epiphany with slide show

Children taking cold-resistant exercise


Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name


Selections for you

  1. Armored regiment in live-ammunition drill

  2. China's naval air force in raid exercise

  3. Brazilians protest old Indian Museum

  4. Railway staff members express greetings

  5. 'Collective weddings' held in kindergarten

  6. Heartbreaking farewell to hero schoolmaster

  7. Internet industry helps keep Chinese economy steady

  8. Come and enjoy Yangge dance

  9. Experience the folk culture in snow house

  10. Ovum donation bank established in Japan

Most Popular


  1. Labor shortage hits cities as holiday nears
  2. Reaching out to sympathetic Japanese
  3. The fall and rise of James Bond
  4. Intervention in Mali
  5. Proposal to help Chinese 'gay wives' stirs debate
  6. Tax wrong weapon to combat home prices
  7. What you may not know about studying abroad
  8. Encircling China just Japan's wishful thinking
  9. Editorial: Prudence in urbanization
  10. Japan PM Abe's regional trip 'targets China'

What’s happening in China

'Collective children's weddings' held in kindergarten

  1. Seven dead in Foxconn bus accident
  3. Safe travel over Spring Festival a priority
  4. Wait for seniors home bed: 100 years
  5. Proposal to help Chinese 'gay wives' stirs debate