The aid group MSF staff barred from Mali war-hit areas

The aid group, Doctors Without Borders /Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says its medical staff have been denied access to in the areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the West African country of Mali.

The French non-governmental organization said on Thursday that it has been in touch with Malian civilian and military authorities since January 14, and also with the French Army and government in order to be authorized to dispatch medical teams to Mali’s central town of Konna.

“Despite our repeated requests, the authorities continue to refuse to grant us access to the area of Konna,” said Malik Allaouna, the MSF operations director.

He further highlighted the importance of allowing neutral, impartial medical and humanitarian assistance to be delivered to the areas, which are affected by the conflict and violence in the African country.

The group added that since the Malian and French forces started their military action in the country “we have not been able to cross the front lines despite our neutrality. Entire regions are now cut off from outside aid.”

On January 11, France launched military intervention in Mali under the pretext of halting the advance of militants in the African country.

France’s Defense Ministry said on Thursday that a total of 1,400 French troopers were deployed in Mali, 600 more than the figure given on Wednesday.
The ministry added that the number of troops would increase to 2,500 as France expands its military campaign against the militants, who have seized much of the African nation.

Chaos broke out in Mali after President Amadou Toumani Toure was toppled in a military coup on March 22, 2012. The coup leaders said they mounted the coup in response to the government’s inability to contain the Tuareg rebellion in the north of the country, which had been going on for two months.