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Ould Slahi: “I have never stopped believing in human values”

Despite the Covid pandemic, which postponed its initial release by one year, the biopic “Designated Guilty” (The Mauritanian), adaptation by director Kevin MacDonald of the memoir “Les carnets de Guantanamo” by Mauritanian Mohamedou Ould Slahi, has finally been released. in the United States on February 12. Not yet released in France, this film, which tells the story of this man’s 14 years without charge in this infamous American prison, should be released this summer. Written in 2005 and first classified as a defense secret by the US government, this autobiography was finally published in 2015 after long years of legal battle. Since, “The Guantanamo Notebooks”, first book written by a prisoner of Guantanamo, have enjoyed worldwide success. This precious testimony, written by hand, gives a rare insight into the functioning of this detention camp. He demonstrates the use of torture within him.

The story recounts the traumatic experience of Mohamedou Ould Slahi. Young in his thirties, he spent 12 years in Germany and Canada. His story took an unexpected turn when, two months after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he was arrested by the Mauritanian authorities. Explanation: since he fought alongside the Mujahedin, affiliated with Al-Qaeda, against the Soviet presence in Afghanistan in 1991, he is suspected of terrorism by the American authorities. A telecommunications engineer, he is also suspected of having participated in the “Millennium Bombing”, an attack that took place in Montreal.

After his arrest in Nouakchott, a long and terrible journey of several months begins. Transferred by the CIA to Amman in a Jordanian prison where he remained 8 months in very difficult conditions, he was then imprisoned on an American base in Afghanistan for 2 weeks before being finally sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, located on the island of Cuba, August 4, 2002. Incarcerated without charge for 14 years, the man suffered psychological and physical torture. Although a judge ordered his release in 2010, he had to wait until July 4, 2016 to regain his freedom. Since then, deprived of the necessary visa to join his family who reside in Germany, he has lived in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania, from where he granted us this interview.

The Africa Point: What lessons do you draw from your experience at Guantanamo?

Mohamedou Ould Slahi: After the tragic events of September 11, many people in the US government were obsessed with tracking down terrorists, even turning their backs on the rule of law. This was abandoned and Guantanamo became a dictatorship where no rights existed. Only dictators do this. We know that democratic countries are more secure, fairer and more prosperous. Let’s just look at the countries that do not respect human rights: they are ranked among the last in terms of justice but also in terms of development. Democracy and the rule of law operate contrary to dictatorship and authoritarianism.

Because I thought they would find out that I was innocent, I cooperated during the interrogations. But then, with the many torture sessions that I endured as well as the endless and logical interrogations, false confessions were obtained from me. After being detained without being tried, I could file a complaint against the United States, but when I wanted to do so, I was intimidated into forcing me to give up. I was threatened by telling me that no matter what decision was rendered, I would not be released anyway. And that’s what happened when my lawyers filed a habeas corpus in 2005: the government tried everything to prevent the procedure. My lawyers did everything to ensure that a hearing was held in 2009. Despite the judge’s conclusion that there was no evidence against me for terrorism and that I should be released, the administration appealed and I I spent another 6 years in prison before being freed in 2016.

Amnesty International recently called for an investigation by the Canadian government into the role of the Royal Mounted Police and the Canadian Intelligence and Security Services (CSIS) in my case. Like other Muslims in Canada, several of us have been mistreated by the United States after the Canadian services gave them misleading information about us. The United States points the finger at the abuses of other countries but, with Guantanamo, they have and are always doing worse. It is a speech of the order of double standards because when the non-respect of rights concerns the West, we easily close our eyes …

What do you recommend so that this does not happen again?

The war on terrorism is a scam in many countries. It is an excuse to oppress, it has become a political tool used to designate all groups opposed to the power in place, especially in Africa and in authoritarian countries. This only leads to excesses because the Western world still considers the Arab countries and Africa as exceptions to the rule. We are not treated with dignity and our rights are not respected. Mainly because our leaders are corrupt, but also because the United States does not consider us. It must stop. The young people of our countries ask only to enjoy the same freedoms as the young Westerners, to be treated like the latter and not with measures outside the law.

Barack Obama had promised to close Guantanamo but he did not succeed. He stepped back. I think Joe Biden is a good man and that is why I sent him a personal letter as well as another co-signed with former detainees calling for the closure of the Guantanamo camp. He said he wanted to close this prison before his first term ends. Having lost his wife and daughter as a young senator, he knows what suffering means and I hope his faith will help him make the right decision. I believe in him.

 

How do you recover from such an ordeal? What helped you cope with the situation?

I don’t really know the answer to this question. I was bruised when I was taken from my mother. Her image in the rearview mirror with her rosary praying for me is etched in my head forever … There is no doubt that the education and values ​​that were taught to me in my childhood like forgiveness or forgiveness. prayer helped me cope. Self-education was also essential: learning new languages, writing a book, praying,… I always tried to understand my captors as best I could. Despite this traumatic experience and these tortures, I never stopped believing in human values.

I suffered a lot psychologically, psychically and spiritually. My faith was strengthened but at the beginning it was a test. I was taught that if you do something bad, it backfires on you and vice versa for good deeds. But this time, I had the example that the reality was different from this teaching! Gradually, I managed to restore my relationship with Allah, these are the circumstances that were so.

The day I forgave everyone, I found peace and serenity. It was a liberation because in the end, I did not forgive because people deserved it but because I wanted to live in peace with myself and the world. It was of course not my first instinct but I found the path of reconciliation and coexistence.

 

How did you experience your return to Mauritania? Were you able to resume a “normal” life?

When I was released, I found myself in a bigger prison: my country. I was not allowed to collect my passport and therefore had no possibility of leaving Mauritania. It lasted three years until the new president took over and returned my passport to me in 2019. Although I have collected it, European Union countries and North American countries are refusing my requests. visa. I know from emails and media reports that U.S. government officials have been messaging to block all of my requests. And this while my wife, who is American, and my child live in Berlin. At this point, I am not able to visit them. They can come and see me in Mauritania, but I cannot go and meet them in Germany. Today, I live in Nouakchott where I became an activist for the defense of human rights. I want no matter what our religions or cultures we are treated the same.

 

There seems to be confusion at times between Muslim and Islamist. What do you think sets them apart?

I would say that Islamism is the way to describe a political current, mainly conservative. However, I believe that any expression of opinion should be respected and protected as long as it does not call for violence. I am wholeheartedly with France against the extremist attacks it has suffered and which are attacks on freedom. That said, France has collaborated with Arab dictators, which feeds an explosive situation: it appears as a partner of people who have become the main enemies of populations who dream of getting rid of the dictatorship.

 

How was your book “Les carnets de Guantanamo” received in Mauritania and internationally?

My book has been greatly appreciated and has been well received both in this part of the world and beyond. It tells not only my story but also that of many young men in my area. We are always the exception to the rule. Young people are punished simply for expressing their opinion. It must stop. Again, we want to enjoy the same freedom as people in the West.

Were you involved in the making of the film “The Mauritanian”? What did you think of the film?

From the outset, I was consulted to provide my details. So I offered my advice when I was asked, but I let the professionals do their job. With my memories, I was able to help the director so that the film is more authentic and transcribes as well as possible what I lived. I described the cell to them, etc. For the most part, my suggestions have been incorporated. I also spoke with Tahar Rahim who plays my role and I was allowed to come on the set in South Africa.

The film is very close to reality. Of course I watched it but I couldn’t see the violent scenes because it reminded me of too many painful things. This film is an opportunity for people to know my side of the story, to denounce impunity and also share what many other prisoners have gone through. Perhaps he could one day play a role in the closure of Guantanamo?

 

What would you like people to take away from your story?

That I am a man of peace and reconciliation. I hope the film will show the western world that I am innocent and most importantly, will change negative perceptions about the Middle East and Africa. I don’t believe in violence and this film, based on my story, is the victory of non-violence.


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