BAMAKO, Mali, 23 novembre 2015
Au lendemain de l’attaque terroriste qui a eu lieu dans un hôtel de Bamako, le Représentant Spécial du Secrétaire Général et Chef de la MINUSMA M. Mongi Hamdi salue le professionnalisme des forces de défense et de sécurité du Mali (FDSM), et exprime sa gratitude aux pays qui ont apporté leur soutien durant la crise.
“J’adresse également mes plus chaleureuses félicitations aux différentes unités de la MINUSMA qui se sont mobilisées aux côtés de leurs partenaires maliens et internationaux,” a-t-il déclaré.
“Aussitôt après avoir été alerté de cette attaque terroriste abjecte qui a débuté à 7h00, j’ai ordonné l’envoi immédiat sur le site et la mise en place d’un important dispositif composé des éléments d’intervention de notre section de sécurité des Nations Unies, de notre Force d’intervention rapide (Quick Reaction Force) et de policiers spécialisés*. Ce dispositif était complété d’une cellule de première urgence afin d’assurer la prise en charge médicale des blessés ainsi qu’un soutien psychologique aux personnes évacuées,” a précisé M. Mongi Hamdi.
La MINUSMA avait par ailleurs déployé sur place ambulances et camions de pompiers.
“Je suis impressionné par la bonne coordination avec les forces de défense et de sécurité maliennes. Je veux redire ma gratitude à nos policiers de UNPOL et au personnel de la Sécurité de l’ONU, à l’ensemble des sapeurs-pompiers et secouristes mobilisés qui, avec force et professionnalisme, ont conjugué leurs efforts avec nos partenaires maliens et internationaux. Je salue enfin le sang-froid et le courage des occupants et du personnel de l’hôtel qui ont dû surmonter cette épreuve,” a rajouté le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général.
M. Mongi Hamdi avait hier, tout comme le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies et le Conseil de sécurité, condamné cette attaque terroriste odieuse dont le lourd bilan s’élève pour l’heure à 22 personnes tuées, dont 2 assaillants, auxquels s’ajoutent 6 blessés graves et de nombreux blessés légers.
La Police des Nations Unies (UNPOL) apporte à présent soutien et expertise technique à l’enquête en cours.
La MINUSMA présente ses sincères condoléances aux familles endeuillées, aux peuples et aux Gouvernements des pays touchés par ce drame, et souhaite un prompt rétablissement aux blessés.
La MINUSMA condamne fermement toute action ayant pour but de mettre en péril le processus de paix, et reste déterminée à poursuivre son soutien au peuple et au Gouvernement du Mali dans ses efforts pour un retour à une paix durable.
*Personnel Nations Unies impliqué sur le site durant la crise:
45 Policiers UNPOL (Police des Nations Unies)
14 officiers de sécurité des Nations unies
SOURCE
United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

PRETORIA, Nov 19 (NNN-SABC) — South African police have arrested 17 police officers and a Department of Home Affairs (Interior) official at a border post near the border with Botswana near Zeerust in North West Province.

They are suspected to be part of a syndicate involved in criminal activities including smuggling of illicit cigarettes and corruption at the border posts, according to the Spokesman for the Hawks, the Priority Crime unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Hangani Molaudzi.

He said Wednesday that this was one of the biggest arrests the Hawks had made.

“We have arrested 17 police officers, and three more will be arrested later today (Wednesday) at the border post,” he added.

“They will be appearing tomorrow at the Zeerust Court to face charges of corruption, bribes and running of a syndicate. We believe we have a watertight case against them, as we have been investigating them since last year.” — NNN-SABC

LAGOS: UNITED Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has denounced the continued Boko Haram terror attacks in Nigeria. He particularly condemned the suicide bomb attack in Yola, the capital city of the Adamawa State, where more than 30 people were killed and over 70 seriously injured. Ki-moon extended his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Nigeria, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

He reiterated no political or ideological objective justified the loss of life and terror to which civilians are being subjected. “He also reiterates the UN’s support to the Nigerian government in its fight against terrorism, which – to be effective – should also be grounded in international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law,” said a spokesperson from New York, United States. The Boko Haram terrorists have killed more than 17 000 and displaced over 2 million internally and neighbouring countries.

SOURCE: CAJ NEWS AGENCY

ABUJA: YOBE State Police have recovered hundreds of livestock allegedly stolen by members of the Boko Haram sect. Three members of the militant group have been arrested in connection with the theft and insurgency. State Police Public Relations Officer, Toyin Gbadegesin, said 159 cattle, 266 sheep, 19 goats and a horse were recovered.

Most animals are presently in the custody of the police awaiting claim by the rightful owners. The police spokesman asked people in Damaturu and environs, whose livestock were stolen to come forward with proof of ownership and identifiable evidence for claim.

Meanwhile, a villager has recovered some 30 cattle the Boko Haram sect had stolen. The Yobe State Command of the Nigerian Police handed back the beats to Mallam Bulam Ngari, who is the owner.

Area Commander, Yemi Samuel, has presented the cattle to the owner at the cattle market in Damaturu. Samuel pledged the police officers’ commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens in the state. “Police would continue to work assiduously for the maintenance of law and order in the state and the country as a whole,” said Samuel.

SOURCE: CAJ NEWS AGENCY

The Hawks in North West have on Wednesday morning arrested 15 police officers and two home affairs officials for their alleged involvement in the corruption at the Kopfontein Border Post.

Sixteen police officers stationed at Kopfontein Border Post, one from Vehicle Identification Unit in Rustenburg and the other Swartruggens Detective Services, together with two home affairs officials allegedly accepted, agreed or offered to accept gratifications from persons crossing the border in order for them bypass the standard procedure at the border between June 2014 and March this year.

The suspects’ shenanigans were revealed during a Crime Intelligence operation in the area. These officials were found to be allowing person and vehicles to enter and leave the country unsearched and without demanding to see necessary documentations.

The head of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza has congratulated the team and warned that this operation is of many to be effected countrywide.

“What occurred cannot be celebrated, it is an embarrassment to the country, the SAPS, Home Affairs and to the families of the suspects. The arrests should also come as a warning to all other corrupt members and officials working at all ports of entries that we coming for you as well.

“South Africans experts exceptional service whilst our visitors need not be afraid to come and visit this beautiful country. We mean business, and we will not rest until we read our country of all forms of corruption”, he warned.

The suspects will appear before the Zeereust Magistrate’s Court on 19 November 2015 facing charges of fraud and corruption.

Enquiries:

Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi

Cell: 082 373 2408

SOURCE: SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIAL NEWS