Mali was likely to be the focus of a two-day meeting of West African heads of state due to start later today in Ivory Coast with a focus on regional security and terrorism. Presidents and prime ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have arrived in the Ivorian capital, Yamoussoukro, to discuss the security situation in Mali and the speedy deployment of African troops to boost the international military operation against rebels there. Most of the summit will reportedly be behind closed doors. It comes after the Mediation and Security Council of the 15-member ECOWAS on Monday called to increase the number of West African soldiers to be deployed in Mali, according to a report of DPA. The revised concept of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) calls for 8,000 troops instead of the planned 3,700 soldiers, and for a robust police and civilian component.
