text: "Dithering" is not the word I would use. Dallaire told Trudeau and Sajjan last year not to go to Mali, so they didn't go, despite all the indicators to allies they would. But Mali, of all the missions in Africa, still makes the most sense for a host of reasons. But it only makes sense if there is more to the commitment than just showing up to say "Canada is back.". 
  
  Mali has long been a close developmental partner of Canada (for decades). Mali has deeper problems beyond the tiny group of extremists in the north. Most of the armed groups in the north and centre of the country have real grievances about the way the country is run. The 2015 peace agreement is flawed. Canada has to go in with eyes open and not defer to France or Algeria on political questions. That is the problem: Trudeau wants low risk, high profile. Mali needs moderate risk-taking, engaged partners. Canada could be that parnter, but so far PMO/PCO/DND/GAC do not provide any confidence there is any strategic plan.