This week, officials of the Operational Coordination Mechanism (MOC) have put in place disciplinary and binding measures to better “frame” their fighters following incidents that occurred a few weeks ago in the city of Gao.
There are four measures in total, according to a MOC officer contacted by Sahelien.com. This is especially about the creation of a “military police” to keep an eye on the actions of combatants, providing a toll-free number to the population, reducing traffic and expressly identifying MOC vehicles and exemplary sanctions against violators of the new rules.
These measures came after the abduction of a vehicle of the operational coordination mechanism by a member and the arrest of two young fighters for a robbery attempt in Gao.
“We have requested the toll-free number from Société des télécommunications du Mali (Sotelma). This is so that the inhabitants can alert us to acts of banditry in the city”, said another officer of the operational mechanism on condition of anonymity. This measure also applies to incidents that could involve the combatants of the MOC itself.
“The military police will follow our elements in the city”, said the same source. Even if the coordinator of the MOC, Colonel Rhissa Ag Sidi Mohamed wants to relativize: “It has nothing to do with the incidents that took place. In every military camp, there is such a police to watch over its proper course”.
Aboubacar Dicko