Mali militarize police, civil protection to protect recovered jihadist-held areas

The Malian government will militarize the national police and civil protection in a move to defend areas reconquered from terrorists, a cabinet statement said.

“This militarization will make it possible to deploy the two units in the areas reconquered by the army in order to ensure the security of the population and their property and to prevent the return of terrorist groups, but also to cover the rear of the forces engaged in combat with a view to preserving the gains and securing the administration and the population,” the statement said.

The move came following a report presented by the Minister of Security and Civil Protection. The decision, the government notes, is in line with plans to rebuild the state decided during the various national consultations demanding the militarization of the national police.

“On this basis, the civil servants of the National Police and the Civil Protection engaged in operations will benefit from the same advantages as the other soldiers,” the statement added.