Security Analyst, Dr. Ishmael Norman has weighed in on the recent clash between illegal miners and military personnel at AngloGold Ashanti’s concession in Obuasi.
For him, the encroachment on a private property must be condemned in no uncertain terms since the illegal miners forcibly entered the mining concession which was under military protection.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, he emphasised the right of the soldiers to self-defence.
“The unexpected encroachment of a group of people onto private property that is under military guard is unacceptable. They see a crowd approaching, throwing things at them, and to be frank, even if I was there, I would have shot whoever was attacking me. I think we should put ourselves in the shoes of the soldiers,” Dr. Norman stated.
“They have a right to self-defence. They have a right to kill anybody who is trying to kill them. As a former soldier, if I was there, that is exactly what I would have done. Why do you have to encroach on someone’s private property in a mob? Why? Is it yours?”
Meanwhile, nine persons lost their lives in the clash with several others sustaining injuries of varying degrees.
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