We had our own private army with us at all times. Since the coup, we were required to have seven soldiers as our security. I slept with my door open and all through the night I could see a soldier standing on the little hill across the way. Later I realized the soldiers’ need to find a high vantage point was convenient as they could also get the telephone network there.
The soldiers were never separated from their guns…even in their medical consultations.
Thank you to Ahalama, an old Tuareg friend and leader of the security force. If only the uranium companies and others who require security in the north would realize that if they hire Tuareg to protect them they would likely be protected. This would give much needed employment to the ex rebels who are already trained and if they don’t have anything else to do might turn to smuggling or co-operation with terrorists.
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