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Mali was one of the most stable democracies in Africa. It was not a wealthy country, and nor was it free of corruption. Its president was weak and ineffectual. But while there is a significant risk that this will devolve into an intractable mess, Mali's people, indeed those of all of northern Africa, deserve more than to be swamped by violent hardliners who would impose their will on every man, woman and child in the name of some fanatical religious glory.