The Afghan Syndrome
(BRUSSELS2 to Koulikoro) Afghanistan is on everyone's mind, especially the trainers. Many of them have served in IFAS - NATO's stabilization force. And if they haven't, the feedback from their regimental comrades is there. The comparison is thus in everyone's head. Starting with the attitude of trained soldiers: " the Malians are motivated, present, responsive. There, we didn't seem to interest them. They were more passive. It was more fleeing ».
However, any amalgamation must be avoided, as one officer explained, avoiding relying on an overly simplistic chain: “ Islamist = Taliban = terrorist ". Even if some soldiers are obsessed with security ", the reality is " very different here ». And the tendency to "bunkerization", specific to American troops, and developed in Afghanistan, is rather frowned upon by the local population. For the French marines who are somewhat at home in Mali, the lesson is clear, it is a method that " does not correspond at all to our African habits”. As a precaution, the soldiers stationed in Koulikoro are certainly prohibited from leaving (for the moment). But inside, the atmosphere is rather relaxed. And the camp rather open to the city. Even if the eye of the guards is more vigilant than it looks.
The "Boubacar Sada Sy" camp extends over several hundred m2. In a hostile context, it would indeed not be easy to defend. But this is not the case for the moment. Even if the risk of attack or kidnapping cannot be ruled out, in Bamako as in Koulikoro the atmosphere is quite calm (for the moment). And what may happen in the north, in Gao or even Kidal, does not systematically have repercussions in the south of the country. We are all the same 1000 km or more from Koulikoro which is not located directly on the northern road for that matter. Evidenced by the entrance to the camp, which opens onto the Niger River, and is all that is most peaceful and open to the nearby town. However, various precautionary measures have been taken. Like setting up a chicane at the entrance. And various fence works will be put in place on a small hill which overlooks a place of the camp but is not at all a big risk as had been supposed, during his visit to the site, the Belgian Minister of Defense.
An imposing role 2
Nevertheless, there may be the temptation of bunkering. Evidenced by the establishment of "force protection", slightly oversized, as an imposing role 2 which holds its place in a central element of the Koulikoro camp. I have no doubt that it will be used at one time or another, if only to provide care for the many Malian soldiers on the spot (if their status allows it). But this "Role 2" is more about highlighting know-how and national deployment conditions than an operational reality. The rule in force in Berlin is indeed that a German soldier traveling outside the territory must receive care under conditions identical to those they could have at home. In absolute terms, a good "camp infirmary" would probably have sufficed.
