In northern Mali, among the Minusma contingents most exposed to terrorist acts, there is Chad, based in Aguelhoc, in the Kidal region. A dangerous area that the UN peacekeeping forces are determined to secure.
With our special correspondent in Aguelhoc, Serge Daniel
A convoy of armored vehicles, driven and secured by Chadian soldiers from the UN mission in Mali, leaves Aguelhoc airport for the city center. One of the leaders of the Chadian contingent, a little later, explains: “It is going well. We are soldiers, we carry out the soldiers’ orders. Aguel’hoc without weapons, we control everything that comes and goes … Security is in our hands ”.
Feared troops
The Chadian troops are pretty much feared by the enemy who has lost ground here. They now control the two exits of the city, the one leading to Kidal and to Tessalit. And if there are men among this contingent, there are also women, and we recognize them by a special cry: “Morality!” We are always in a good mood, one of them assures us. Yes, we are not afraid, because we have come to maintain peace, so we are not afraid ”.
The city guides praise the effectiveness of the blue helmets of Chadian nationality: “Since their arrival, they have cooperated a lot with the people and they have also provided the necessary help in all areas and at all levels”.
About 300 peacekeepers from Ndjamena are based in the city and its surroundings. And in Aguelhoc and in another locality, Tessalit, Minusma offered premises to the civil society of each of these municipalities in the presence of its chief Mahamat Saleh Annadif.
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