The presence of Qatar in Northern Mali: doubts persist
The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, has officially denied that his country could support one or more armed groups who occupy the North of Mali. He reiterated it to the acting president of Mali Dioncounda Traore, invited to Doha from 21 to October 24. Yet, although evidence is lacking, doubts about a double game by the small Arab Emirate in the Sahelian zone remain. Would the presence of Qatar NGOs be a cover for other missions?
Early July 2012, Gao fell into the hands of the Mujao (Arab jihadists). The city is in tatters after the departure of the MNLA (Tuareg group that was pushed out by the Mujao). There are few Humanitarian NGOs in GAO: the ICRC, Médecins du monde Belgium, Action against Hunger-- are trying to deal with the most pressing needs to help the civilian population.
It is in this context that the Qatari Red Crescent comes into play. A three-person delegation arrived from Doha via Niamey. Goal: establish a humanitarian needs assessment mission. To the civil society of Gao, Qataris promise aid of 3 billion CFA francs in various supplies: medicines, seeds and fertilizers, new engines for the hydroelectric power station of the city.
Four months later, only food aid arrived: cornmeal, milk, oil... In total 21 tonnes of food, distributed in the summer by local officials. Food that arrived in northern Mali through Niger, by road.
Soaring premiums
The Red Crescent and Charity Qatary will also fund medical personnel. "They came with a lot of money",stated one humanitarian aid worker.
Gao hospital, they recruit specialists in pediatrics and gynecology. Salaries will be paid to these Malian doctors and nurses directly by the Qatari NGOs. 600,000 CFA francs for a specialist, 300 000 for a generalist, where the ICRC and NGOs offer only 150 to 200 000 francs CFA. The award-winning 'enormous' premiums paid by the Qatar are creating problems between the personal health and other humanitarian partners.
For this financial opportunity nurses from Gao who were refugees for a time in Bamako decided to return in the North with the assurance of a well paid job.
Not very Orthodox methods of Work
The on-site and international humanitarian NGOs are troubled by the approach of Qatari NGOs. "The Qatari Red Crescent arrived at Gao, without notifying anyone, neither the Malian Red Cross, or ICRC (international Committee of the Red Cross), which coordinates emergency aid it in areas of conflict," says a humanitarian aid worker.
Subsequently, and after requests for explanations, the Qatar Red Crescent agreed to sign an agreement with the Mali Red Cross: a Malian delegation was received in Doha to sign the document. But, according to our information, three months later, joint actions on the ground have still not started. According to our informants in Bamako, "Things do not happen in a very Orthodox way with them." A sentiment widely shared by almost all humanitarian actors in the North: no coordination, no consultation upstream with anyone: 'a very special approach,' says one.
Another specificity of Qataris: they install their medical teams where needs are not necessarily the most important. Leaving dozens of Bush health centres, forgotten by all.
At Gao hospital, on the contrary, they settled in while several NGOs - MDM, ACF and ICRC - were already present for a long time. To the point that some see an approach more political than humanitarian. "They planted a flag in strategic locations, which could be decisive in a military intervention: Gao hospital, for example, is under the control of the Mujao and is the only medical centre of reference in the northeast of the country."
«They undermine everyone»
At Gao, speaking of the Qatari presence leaves no one indifferent. Many of our informants, doctors or actors of civil society. . . Others say they are tired of the hypocrisy around the exact role of Qataris: "since they arrived, they deceive everybody.... "They are there to help the Mujao, financially and logistically," says a member of the civil society vehemently. According to him, humanitarian action is only a cover for less lastingly support: A Gao, they are very close to the Mujao. '.
A local elected official of Ménaka confirms: "when I asked the Qatari Red Crescent to intervene on a humanitarian project, I was told that this was not possible because the Mujao was not present at Ménaka.
Original article in French
La présence du Qatar au nord du Mali : les doutes persistent
4 jours |
L'émir du Qatar, Cheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, a officiellement démenti que son pays ait pu soutenir un ou des groupes armés qui occupent le nord du Mali. Il l'a redit au président par intérim du Mali, Dioncounda Traoré, invité du 21 au 24 octobre dernier à Doha. Pourtant, même si les preuves manquent, les doutes sur un double jeu du petit émirat arabe dans cette zone sahélienne demeurent. La présence d'ONG qatariennes serait-elle une couverture pour d'autres missions ?
Début juillet 2012, Gao est tombé entre les mains du Mujao. La ville est en lambeaux après le passage du MNLA. Les ONG humanitaires ne sont pas nombreuses : le CICR, Médecins du monde Belgique, Action contre la faim tentent de parer au plus pressé pour aider les populations civiles, à bout.
C'est dans ce contexte que le Croissant-Rouge qatarien entre en jeu. Une délégation de trois personnes arrive de Doha via Niamey. Objectif : établir une mission d'évaluation des besoins en aide humanitaire. Devant la société civile de Gao, les Qatariens promettent une aide de 3 milliards de francs CFA en fournitures variées : médicaments, semences et engrais, moteurs neufs pour la centrale hydroélectrique de la ville.
Quatre mois plus tard, seule l'aide alimentaire est arrivée : de la semoule, du lait, de l'huile… Au total 21 tonnes de denrées, distribuées durant l'été par des agents locaux. Des denrées alimentaires qui rentrent au nord du Mali via le Niger, par la route.
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