Kidal: or a lesson of strategy
Military specialists make no mistake. Winning a war does not necessarily mean crushing your adversary, but employing skilful and subtle strategies to defeat him without too much collateral damage. And Sun Tzu, in his famous book "The Art of War", said: "The general runs five dangers: reckless, he risks being killed. Cowardly, he risks capture. Angry, he risks being carried away. Anxious about honor, he risks humiliation. Compassionate, he risks being tormented.
humiliation. Compassionate, he risks being tormented. In the reconquest of Kidal, the FAMA command did not run into any of these 5 dangers. On the contrary, it took its time, observing, analyzing and planning before taking action. War is won long before hostilities begin. The first victory is psychological. You have to make your adversary understand that there's no way out if you start fighting.
Information is power, they say. The better you know your adversary, the better you can get away with it. In this operation to recapture the capital of the Adrar des Iforas, the Armed Forces General Staff, under the leadership of the High Command, has carried out high-level strategic planning, because no matter what anyone says, the key to success lies first and foremost in anticipation. And to work methodically is to succeed.
The war leader who has a well-defined plan which he executes scrupulously has a definite advantage. There is no favourable wind for a sailor who doesn't know where to go. From strategic retreat, from which we have learned our lessons, we have come to a strategic and intelligent offensive. Mali remains one and indivisible. It is this message of unity of action and cohesion that the FAMA have just given us. In these exceptional moments, the distinction between defense and civilian is blurred, the cause is common, and it is the urgency that makes the link. Let's remain vigilant and determined: this is the beginning of the beginning of another stage. Bravo and proud of our FAMA!
Salif SANOGO