Ms. Kerry Buck at the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee

On January 31st, 2013. See this statement in context.

January 31st, 2013 / 12:25 p.m.

Political Director and Assistant Deputy Minister, International Security, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Kerry Buck

The Malian government was part of discussions about what ECOWAS would be contributing. It's already happening that the French and the Malian troops are pushing forward, and coming in behind are AFISMA and troops from Chad. Chad is not technically part of AFISMA, but they have significant troop strength there. They're already moving in behind to hold some of the cities that have been taken back by the Malian and French forces.

AFISMA is already working on the ground. The Africans really have stepped up to the plate in terms of troop numbers, even financial contributions, as I've said, and real leadership.

See context to find out what was said next.