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STORY: MALI / UN POLICE MENAKA MARKET
TRT: 7:02
SOURCE: MINUSMA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 29 JUIN 2023, MENAKA, MALI
1. Wide shot, tanks on patrol
2. Med shot, people talking, Menaka market
3. Close up, young girl
4. Wide shot, butchers cutting and selling meat
5. Close up, butcher talking
6. Med shot, Butcher sharpening knife
7. Wide shot, people talking
8. Med shot, retailers, buyers
9. Close up, retailer speaking and laughing
10. Various shots, UNPOL officers, market
11. SOUNDBITE (French) Raoul Koffi Gbadjidjo, Second Lieutenant, United Nations Police (UNPOL):
“This has a big impact on the population. 6 or 7 months ago, you wouldn't have seen so many people in the market. But now that people feel safe, and MINUSMA is carrying out daily activities, the market is packed.”
12. Various shots, UNPOL officers, road, market, retailers
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Haggar Abdoulaye Senoussi, Superintendent / Police Team Leader, United Nations Police (UNPOL):
“The population appreciates these interactions. Very positively. They ask us to step up what we're doing each time to deter thugs.”
14. Various shots, UNPOL officers, hands holding notepad, people talking, site for internally displaced persons
15. SOUNDBITE (French), Perezam Minza, Police Warrant Officer, Gender Focal Point, United Nations Police (UNPOL):
“The contact with the women here is easy. According to their customs, they don't like talking to men. They are often victims of various forms of gender-based violence. But they don't want to talk. When we come, they agree to talk to us and trust us. We listen to them, and if there are cases of rape, we refer them to the One Stop Center, which is the reference center here.”
16. Various shots, UNPOL officers, child, IDPs, people talking,
17. Various shots, UNPOL officers, Malian Security Forces
18. Various shots, UNPOL officer in car, radio, tank on patrol
19. Various shots, UNPOL officer briefing his team, UNPOL women officer praying, UNPOL Commander talking on radio
20. SOUNDBITE (French) Major Léandre Adouwodji N'tsougan, Commander, Togo Formed Police Unit (FPU):
“Togo Formed Police Unit has been assigned three main missions: securing UN personnel and property, protecting civilians, and participating in police missions alongside local forces. In addition to the patrols we carry out, we secure the Menaka airfield.”
21. Various shots, UNPOL officer, woman frying doughnuts, children
22. Various shots, UNPOL officers, Malian security, hands making dough, Malian woman
The UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the Malian National Defense and Security Forces brought the local Menaka market back to life.
Menaka, located 1500 km from Bamako in northern Mali, is known for its dynamic weekly agricultural fair.
Held every Thursday in the town's primary market, it is a must-see event for local traders, fair vendors from several villages, and buyers.
Previously, the area was abandoned.
This situation was caused by insecurity, severely affecting the craft and small business sectors.
Today, thanks to the concerted efforts of the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the Malian National Defense and Security Forces, the market is coming back to life, much to the delight of the local population.
Among the crowds, peacekeepers patrol the perimeter with ease.
These Togolese peacekeepers have a single mantra: to be safe, to be visible, and to inspire confidence.
Second Lieutenant Raoul Koffi Gbadjidjo of the United Nations Police in Menaka said, “We go out on foot patrols to reassure the people and make them feel safe so that they can enjoy the fair. This has a big impact on the population. 6 or 7 months ago, you wouldn't have seen so many people in the market. But now that people feel safe, and MINUSMA is carrying out daily activities, the market is packed.”
Nothing is left to chance; everything is organized down to the last millimeter.
While some peacekeepers have a deterrent effect on visitors, others talk to users, shoppers, and merchants to understand their state of mind and better adapt the security measures.
These are police officers, usually from other contingents, who are deployed individually and whose work allows them to be ideally close to the civilian population.
Haggar Abdoulaye Senoussi, Superintendent of Police and United Nations Police Team Leader in Menaka said, “The population appreciates these interactions. Very positively. Each time, they ask us to step up what we're doing to deter thugs. We explain to them MINUSMA's mandate to support and protect civilians and their property.”
Whether it's about MINUSMA's mandate, messages of hope for the return of lasting peace, advice of all kinds, or exchanging contacts, all topics are possible.
This climate of trust is also an opportunity to share information, for example, on the harmful consequences of spreading false information or on issues related to sexual violence.
This is important in helping vulnerable populations, primarily young girls, women, and children.
To this end, peacekeepers also organize patrols in high-risk areas, such as this site of internally displaced persons.
To facilitate encounters, make speaking easier, and better understand women’s specific needs, the UN police team has a gender focal point, a position proudly held by Perezam Minza.
She said, “The contact with the women here is easy. According to their customs, they don't like talking to men. They are often victims of various forms of gender-based violence. But they don't want to talk. When we come, they agree to talk to us and trust us. We listen to them, and if there are cases of rape, we refer them to the One Stop Center, which is the reference center here.”
These community police patrols are also an opportunity to bring the Malian security forces-the police, gendarmerie, national guards, and the UN peacekeepers closer to the population.
They are also helping to create greater peace and tranquility by combating banditry and all destabilizing activities that could undermine security.
The Malian armed forces and MINUSMA peacekeepers regularly intensify their joint patrols to protect civilians.
These operations also provide invaluable intelligence to improve operations.
In 11 months of presence, the 139 UN police peacekeepers, including 13 women from the Togolese battalion in Menaka, have carried out nearly 450 patrols, more than 55 escorts, and 47 security operations under the command of their commander, Leandre Adouwodji N'tsougan.
He said, “Togo Formed Police Unit has been assigned three main missions: securing UN personnel and property, protecting civilians, and taking part in police missions alongside local forces. In addition to the patrols we carry out, we secure the Menaka airfield.”
There are many challenges and risks facing our peacekeepers as they work tirelessly to bring stability.
But for the men and women of the Togolese UN Police Battalion, serving for the return of lasting peace is more than an oath - it's a mark of solidarity with the people of Mali.
