France and Mali

France is placing undue pressure on the UN Secretariat regarding the deployment of peacekeepers to the recently approved mission in Mali. It shows very little respect for the UN’s independence when it comes to the selection of the Troop Contributing Countries. For instance, the French want the Chadians to be part of the UN force at any cost, even if N’Djaména does not meet some of the criteria. This is creating, once again, an anti-French wave within the UN Headquarters. Such malaise is being aptly used by some older hands at DPKO and in other departments, who never miss an opportunity to attack the French.