Nigeria is now in a fix over its apparent reluctance to seek
logistics support from the international community for the troops deployment to
Mali, sources told Daily Trust in the Malian capital Bamako.
logistics support from the international community for the troops deployment to
Mali, sources told Daily Trust in the Malian capital Bamako.
A senior military source said Nigeria seems to have
tactfully rejected offers, especially from the US, to assist in logistics, and
“yet the country is still deploying its troops and other military equipment to
Mali in great pain.”
tactfully rejected offers, especially from the US, to assist in logistics, and
“yet the country is still deploying its troops and other military equipment to
Mali in great pain.”
Nigeria is expected to send 1,200 troops for the military
operation. The country is yet to begin deploying armoured vehicles for its
troops which are also necessary in the hostile Mali environment.
operation. The country is yet to begin deploying armoured vehicles for its
troops which are also necessary in the hostile Mali environment.
In a military operation like Mali’s, according to the
source, it does not mean a country is weak if it accepts assistance, especially
as regards movement of troops and other heavy duty military equipment.
source, it does not mean a country is weak if it accepts assistance, especially
as regards movement of troops and other heavy duty military equipment.
Ghana and Chad, it was learnt, accepted the offer for logistics
support by the international community. Ghana was said to have been assisted by
Britain. Chad, which was said to have deployed 2500 troops, 52 armoured
vehicles and over 100 war camels, was reportedly provided last week with a
monetary assistance of more than $50 million by the US government.
support by the international community. Ghana was said to have been assisted by
Britain. Chad, which was said to have deployed 2500 troops, 52 armoured
vehicles and over 100 war camels, was reportedly provided last week with a
monetary assistance of more than $50 million by the US government.
The source, however, absolved Nigerian military authorities
of blame, saying politicians should be held responsible for the slow pace of
deployment of Nigerian troops.
of blame, saying politicians should be held responsible for the slow pace of
deployment of Nigerian troops.
“Nigeria should not hesitate to seek logistics support from
the international community to reduce her logistics burden; it should not
pretend to channel its request through the African Union (AU) because the
burden is much on her given the way things are currently being done,” he said.
the international community to reduce her logistics burden; it should not
pretend to channel its request through the African Union (AU) because the
burden is much on her given the way things are currently being done,” he said.
Force Commander and Head of the African-led International
Support Mission to Mali, Major General S. U. Abdulkadir, had earlier told Daily
Trust in Bamako that Nigeria was doing its best and so her effort should be
appreciated. Abdulkadir however described the process of deploying Nigerian
troops as gradual.
Support Mission to Mali, Major General S. U. Abdulkadir, had earlier told Daily
Trust in Bamako that Nigeria was doing its best and so her effort should be
appreciated. Abdulkadir however described the process of deploying Nigerian
troops as gradual.
Nigeria, according to him, is yet to ask the international
community for logistics support in this regard as it is still doing its best,
saying however that there is nothing wrong in seeking for international support
in an operation like this.
community for logistics support in this regard as it is still doing its best,
saying however that there is nothing wrong in seeking for international support
in an operation like this.
“At least we have to do our best first before seeking for
any logistics or other support. There is nothing wrong in seeking for
assistance, anyway. You see, we are not doing badly in the first place; and our
effort should be appreciated by all,” he said.
any logistics or other support. There is nothing wrong in seeking for
assistance, anyway. You see, we are not doing badly in the first place; and our
effort should be appreciated by all,” he said.
But Daily Trust learnt that Nigeria may likely ask for
logistics support at a scheduled extra-ordinary summit of heads of government
of ECOWAS states in Abidjan tomorrow, which President Jonathan is expected to
attend.
logistics support at a scheduled extra-ordinary summit of heads of government
of ECOWAS states in Abidjan tomorrow, which President Jonathan is expected to
attend.
Jonathan is also expected to present Nigeria’s $5 million
donation for the Mali support mission at the summit.
donation for the Mali support mission at the summit.
Source: Daily Trust
