The True Cynics’ choice: Which is a more fearful event for Mali?

Number one: Oil discovered? A third international oil company has been granted rights to hunt for crude oil near the Gao region.

"I maintain that there is oil in Mali, because for foreign firms to invest so much money in exploration, you would think they were doing so with full knowledge of the facts," Mali's President Amadou Toure said on state television this week.

A true cynic would say: Here come the parasites that make up the international oil cartel to wreak havoc, cause instability and propel a steadily growing economy (and increasingly democratic) country over the edge. (These views do not necessarily represent the editorial outlook of Africa Flak.)

Number two: AFRICOM visit? U.S. Army Gen. William “Kip” Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, spent three days in Bamako, Mali to meet with government officials, review bilateral relations and to “explain the overall mission of AFRICOM.”

"This trip allows us all to build working relationships, trust and confidence between AFRICOM and partners...it's important to create and foster personal connections," Ward said. "I want to personally thank the country of Mali for their work in regional peace and security. Our common goal is to enhance the capacity of Africans to care for their stability so that development can take place and Africans can prosper."

A true cynic would say: Here comes the team that hires the mercenaries that makes up the fight against terror to wreak havoc, cause instability and propel a steadily growing economy (and increasingly democratic) country over the edge. (These views do not necessarily represent the editorial outlook of Africa Flak.)

Bonus question: What’s the relationship between choice number one and choice number two?