The United States of America is
planning to establish a drone base in Niger, a country sandwiched between
Nigeria and Mali, two nations that have been under attack from Islamic
militants.
planning to establish a drone base in Niger, a country sandwiched between
Nigeria and Mali, two nations that have been under attack from Islamic
militants.
The drone base, according to a report in last Sunday’s edition
of the New York Times, will give the US military command increased unmanned
surveillance missions on the activities of Boko Haram and other extremist
groups in West Africa that are affiliated to Al Qaeda and other sectarian
groups.
of the New York Times, will give the US military command increased unmanned
surveillance missions on the activities of Boko Haram and other extremist
groups in West Africa that are affiliated to Al Qaeda and other sectarian
groups.
With the establishment of the drone
base, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which has proved successful
in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the goal is to limit risks involved with the use
of humans and as well improve intelligence gathering around the desert belt
connecting North and West African.
base, the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which has proved successful
in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the goal is to limit risks involved with the use
of humans and as well improve intelligence gathering around the desert belt
connecting North and West African.
The report of the planned establishment of the drone base in Niger came on the
heels of international efforts to rout out Islamic insurgents from Mali.
Nigeria, which is part of the
international military coalition in Mali, has so far expended $32 million on
its military expedition in the Sahelian nation, just as it has so far deployed
776 troops in the war-torn country.
international military coalition in Mali, has so far expended $32 million on
its military expedition in the Sahelian nation, just as it has so far deployed
776 troops in the war-torn country.
More troops, to make up the 1,200
contingent Nigeria is contributing to the peace efforts, are expected to leave
for Mali next week, THISDAY has learnt.
contingent Nigeria is contributing to the peace efforts, are expected to leave
for Mali next week, THISDAY has learnt.
In order to sustain the peace efforts
in Mali, a donors’ conference was held yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to
raise funds for the military expedition during which global donors pledged the
donation of $455.53 million.
in Mali, a donors’ conference was held yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to
raise funds for the military expedition during which global donors pledged the
donation of $455.53 million.
When THISDAY made enquiries Tuesday
from the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, how the plan by the
US to establish the drone base in Niger would affect Nigeria’s security,
especially the fight against Boko Haram terror, she said on the phone that
government was reviewing the situation.
from the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, how the plan by the
US to establish the drone base in Niger would affect Nigeria’s security,
especially the fight against Boko Haram terror, she said on the phone that
government was reviewing the situation.
“I will make consultations and get
across to you,” she added.
When contacted some hours later, she directed all enquiries to the Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim and Defence Headquarters for
more information on the issue.
across to you,” she added.
When contacted some hours later, she directed all enquiries to the Chief of
Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim and Defence Headquarters for
more information on the issue.
According to some military sources,
who spoke with THISDAY on the issue, the plan has “been in the pipeline by the
US African Command (USAFRICOM), especially to monitor the activities of Boko
Haram and their growing links with international terrorist organisations like
the Al Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM).
who spoke with THISDAY on the issue, the plan has “been in the pipeline by the
US African Command (USAFRICOM), especially to monitor the activities of Boko
Haram and their growing links with international terrorist organisations like
the Al Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM).
“However, it is like they are taking
the decision seriously owing to the ongoing development in Mali, with Niger
already providing a base for both Nigeria and other foreign troops.”
the decision seriously owing to the ongoing development in Mali, with Niger
already providing a base for both Nigeria and other foreign troops.”
Another military source, who
disclosed that the US already has a base in Niger, added that the drone base is
also expected to provide intelligence and assist the French mission and war
efforts in Northern Mali.
disclosed that the US already has a base in Niger, added that the drone base is
also expected to provide intelligence and assist the French mission and war
efforts in Northern Mali.
“It is part of the war efforts in
Mali, which provides for both short and long-term measures as you are aware
that the US already had some existing secret base in Niger,” the source said.
Mali, which provides for both short and long-term measures as you are aware
that the US already had some existing secret base in Niger,” the source said.
When he visited Nigeria last month,
the Commander, USAFRICOM, Gen Carter Ham, had at the Nigerian
Defence College (NDC) expressed concern over the increasing connectivity and
collaboration between the network of Al-Qaeda affiliates and adherents in
Africa, including the Boko Haram sect.
the Commander, USAFRICOM, Gen Carter Ham, had at the Nigerian
Defence College (NDC) expressed concern over the increasing connectivity and
collaboration between the network of Al-Qaeda affiliates and adherents in
Africa, including the Boko Haram sect.
Ham while speaking on areas of common
interests and challenges between Nigeria and US, explained that since the
Al-Qaeda core has been significantly weakened, the group has simply mutated
into various affiliate organisations, especially in the Middle East and Africa
that are increasingly coordinating resources and intelligence to carry out
their terrorist acts.
interests and challenges between Nigeria and US, explained that since the
Al-Qaeda core has been significantly weakened, the group has simply mutated
into various affiliate organisations, especially in the Middle East and Africa
that are increasingly coordinating resources and intelligence to carry out
their terrorist acts.
He had explained that the Al-Qaeda
networks and affiliates, including Boko Haram, were changing in ways that
increase threats to individual African states and regional stability, as well
as to the US and international security interests.
networks and affiliates, including Boko Haram, were changing in ways that
increase threats to individual African states and regional stability, as well
as to the US and international security interests.
THISDAY was also informed that Niger
is strategic for the US, Nigeria and Africa’s fight against terrorism as it is
a gateway between the North, West, East and Central Africa, with Nigeria’s
porous northern border being of great concern
is strategic for the US, Nigeria and Africa’s fight against terrorism as it is
a gateway between the North, West, East and Central Africa, with Nigeria’s
porous northern border being of great concern
Source: Thisday
