Nigeria Supports Mali with 190 Troops and more to Follow Soon

AFRIK UPDATE

News/Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the deployment of 190 troops in Mali as part of Nigeria’s contribution to the ECOWAS security force to reclaim the strife-torn country from Islamic terrorists.

Director of Defence Information Col. Mohammed Yerima yesterday said a company made of 190 troops would depart for Mali today. Another batch will follow soon.

“Following this decision and in line with Nigeria’s acclaimed peacekeeping roles and in the spirit of African brotherhood, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has ordered the immediate deployment of Nigerian troops to Mali.

‘‘The President approved the deployment of a Battallion and in the next 24 hours, a Company of the Battalion [190] will be deployed. The remainder would be deployed later. Already, the Force Commander, Major General S U Abdulkadir, is on ground in Mali.

“Also, a technical team of the Nigerian Army and Air Force is already in Mali to facilitate the eventual full deployment of fighter aircraft and support element”.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085 of December 2012 approved the deployment of ECOWAS Security Force to assist Mali in reclaiming the northern part of the country from Islamic militants.

According to him, Mali has acquired notoriety as a training ground for terrorists who have been on the rampage in some parts of northern Nigeria. He said the military would ensure that peace is restored in the troubled country.

“Logistics of troops in any operation of this nature is paramount to us. The security of Mali affects security of Nigeria because of the proximity of Mali to Nigeria.

“So it is an operation that is very dear to Nigeria. Furthermore, as you are aware, Mali has been one of the training bases where terrorists operating in Nigeria have been trained. So, it is important that Mali is kept safe and Niger, which is the immediate neighbour.”

With the worsening situation in Mali, the European Union (EU) is set to take decisions on the steps to take to protect the Malian people.

A statement in Abuja by the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, reads: “Today I chaired a Crisis Platform meeting on Mali and had a phone call with Laurent Fabius to review recent developments and actions the EU could take to support the Malian government and people.

“In the light of this, I have convened an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council this week to take stock of possible EU actions in support of Mali, including the rapid deployment of the proposed EUTM to train and advise the Malian military, financial and logistical assistance for the deployment of African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), and other direct support to the Malian government to help it cope with the current situation.

“The EU remains in close touch with other international actors, including the African Union, ECOWAS and the UN to ensure a united international response to the situation.”