Mali: departure of a military column for Kidal

In Mali, a convoy of just under 300 soldiers took off on Monday, February 10, from Gao for the city of Kidal, in the hands of the ex-rebels. Wikimedia

Text by: RFI Follow

In Mali, a convoy of just under 300 soldiers took off on Monday, February 10, from Gao for the city of Kidal, in the hands of the ex-rebels. It is a peaceful return in accordance with the Algiers peace agreement. Former CMA rebels and platform ex-combatants (pro-government armed groups) are integrated into the new army on the way. The UN mission in Mali and the French forces Barkhane support this return.

Publicity

Read more

Strong images today in Gao, tells us our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel . The Chief of General Staff of the Malian armies addresses the troops before the convoy leaves for Kidal. Major General Abdoulaye Coulibaly calls for discipline, for the love of the fatherland. Beside him, a senior official - a UN soldier - blue helmet screwed on his head and in a row, are the soldiers of the new Malian army. Some wear a beret, others a turban.

The group is made up of a third of soldiers from the regular army, a third of ex-rebels and another third of pro-government ex-combatants, in total, according to our information, 240 men in uniform who take the start.

At the head of the convoy, on bitumen tape, two vehicles. On the left, that of the Malian army; on the right, an armored vehicle of the UN mission which plays a crucial role in this redeployment of the Malian army in Kidal.

Support from Minusma and the Barkhane force

The convoy is on its way. On board a few dozen vehicles, the soldiers will take four days before arriving on the spot.

Along the way, they will spend their first night, in principle, in the locality of Bourem and all the way to Kidal, security is reinforced with, in addition to the assistance of the UN mission, that of the force French Barkhane.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR

  • Mali

On the same subject

Mali

Mali: the reconstituted Malian army's return to Kidal planned for the end of January

Mali

Mali: the UN has a hard time digesting the ouster of the Minusma representative in Kidal

Mali

Mali declares head of Minusma office in Kidal persona non grata