Ivory Coast - Dibobly Checkpoint

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The above picture, taken at our first Dibobly checkpoint, incorrectly states (in Kepi Blanc magazine) that it is a CEA (Compagnie d'Eclairage et d'Appuie) unit at the checkpoint. In fact, it was our section at this particular location, with the 12.7mm Browning-armed VAB armoured personnel carrier. The checkpoint might be recognizable as the same in which some of the photos in the Ivory Coast series were taken. The picture was taken fairly early on (late December - early January) before we built up large sandbag protection walls for the sentry and for the VAB. The scene is a typical Ivorian village view, with mud and straw houses and unkept roadways. The road itself bears the tracks of a passing FANCI (loyalist Ivorian soldiers) T-55 tank. Whilst we were there we encountered no rebel activity, though in late February - early March the 3rd Company, which took over this position once we left for Duekoue, had a few skirmishes with small rebel elements trying to break through the Duekoue - Guessabo line, and in particular in the vicinity of the Guessabo bridge which is just to the east of this village and the checkpoint.

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