Onde Info – How much mystery and gray areas surround this overly noisy, overly daring and offhand leak. Even before the results of the first investigations, we can say without risk of being mistaken that this escape, by its arrogance and its cheek, bears the calling card of negligence, laxity and complicity. Three culprits who must be brought before the courts.
And There you go ! Through these irresponsible actions, three souls have been torn from their families. The national guard which ensures the security of our prisons, an old tradition has certainly just shown its limits.
Without triumphalism and vanity, we are one of the West African countries to have been able to ensure effective control of our borders, and drive the jihadists out of our country. Thank God !
We took the terrorist threat seriously from the start. However, in terms of the detention of terrorist prisoners, the changes are not very visible. Indeed, tracking down terrorists is one thing, keeping them in jail is another.
The resources invested in the fight against the terrorist nebula only make sense when they allow them to be locked up in safe and highly secure places.
But it would still be desirable for the prison guard to be more trained in techniques for managing violent extremism and the prevention of violent radicalization in the prison environment.
For almost a week, Nouakchott residents lived in fear. Internet cut. Many activities at a standstill, safety first. The threat was everywhere and was real; all the more there have been deaths of men.
The fugitives were armed and determined to cold-shoulder anyone who tried to get in front of them. This run held a whole country in suspense until the summit of the State where the official agenda was reviewed.
Calm has come from the Adrar. First, in the form of rumour, then some “certified or sworn languages” gave the information: three terrorists killed, the fourth apprehended and a gendarme lost his life. This is the result of the operation which, on Saturday, put an end to the run of fugitives from the civil prison of Nouakchott.
Compassion for the families of the two elements of the national guard, the first victims of the fugitives, to which are added a third of the elite unit of the gendarmerie. They died defending the country. They died defending and protecting each of us.
The defense and security forces washed away the affront by putting these dangerous individuals out of harm’s way. It was necessary for the image of our army and for its respect. The opposite would be too awkward, a difficult story to tell.
The fourth terrorist, taken alive, is undoubtedly the black box of this “crash”, he will reveal all the secrets of this more than daring escape. A spectacular escape worthy of an American action film, and which we will always continue to comment on.
After the emotion, place for a serious and uncompromising investigation. This is for the safety of Mauritanians! Urgent measures must be taken against the backdrop of a reform of the penitentiary system.
The prison environment is a world apart. The authorities must think of creating a special body in charge of security in the prisons: professional prison guards. A body where the elements will be well chosen, subjected to an uncompromising selection and trained by professionals, following conclusive internships in the most highly secure prisons.
Indeed, a prison guard must understand the basics of law, psychology, crisis management, assistance and rescue, and of course, the particularity of terrorist or jihadist detainees, etc. Ensuring security in the prison environment is not the primary vocation of the National Guard.
It is mainly trained to ensure, among other things, the maintenance of order, the operational defense of the national territory, etc. The prisoners have changed mentalities, profiles and even culture. Our judicial and prison system must integrate these new elements in order to change our practices and habits.
Let’s turn our mistakes into strengths. This escape must challenge the Ministry of Justice, the first person in charge of prisons to demand a body under its supervision, formed in the spirit of justice capable of ensuring the custody, security and surveillance of prisons. This body of professionals aims to participate in the prevention of recidivism.
Prison guarding is a special profession, requiring specific skills and aptitudes, which are less valued in the recruitment of those who perform this function today. Consequently, the prison administration ensures the maintenance in prison of the persons entrusted to it by the judicial authority.
Secretary SIDIBE
