INDICATIONS emerged on Sunday that Nigeria will soon deploy soldiers in Mali to confront the Islamists troubling the West African country, the Presidency and foreign affairs ministry said on Sunday.

Spokespersons for President Goodluck Jonatha, Reuben Abati; and Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ogbole Ahmedu-Ode, say Nigeria holds a responsibility to return peace to Mali.

“Nigeria is committed to resolving the crisis in Mali especially as President Jonathan is a co-mediator in the crisis,” Abati told The PUNCH on Sunday, while Ogbole-Ode said it was mandatory for the country to salvage the situation in Mali where Islamic fundamentalists are unleashing attacks on the country’s monuments and people.

The Presidency’s confirmation came on the heels of Ivorien President Alassane Ouattara’s announcement that member state of Economic Community of West Africa would soon send deploy troops in Mali if the situation in the country did not improve rapidly.

Ouattara said this in interview with French weekly, Le Journal du Dimanche. The interview conducted in French and published on Sunday was translated by The PUNCH via Google translator.

The Ivorien President, who is also the incumbent chairman of ECOWAS, said, “If the (Malian) situation does not evolve positively and quickly, yes, there will be a military intervention in Mali. It seems to me inevitable. “The chiefs of staff of West Africa met in Abidjan this week. All member states of ECOWAS were represented. It shows that the Joint Chiefs of Staff Officers propose the establishment of a contingent of nearly 3,300 men. Initially, it will deploy gendarmes and police. Then, the military.

“My chief of staff said this week rightly that the situation in Mali is deteriorating a little more each day and not only in the north but also south. We plan to establish an African peacekeeping force made up half of Malian soldiers, half of soldiers from Niger, Nigeria, perhaps in Chad and other countries.”

On the urgency of the deployment, Ouattara said, “I think we can talk in weeks, not months. There is urgency. Northern Mali is a land of moderate Islam. Not Malians who violate human rights, force women to wear the burqah and abuse them, who destroy historical monuments, preventing young people from listening to music . I am told that these men come from Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan … They are extremists, terrorists who must return to where they came from.”

Abati said, “The ECOWAS leaders have the responsibility to ensure peace in Mali and the sub-region. Nigeria is committed to resolving the crisis in Mali especially as President Jonathan is a co-mediator in the crisis.


“This country has a brilliant record of participation in peace missions: Sierra Leone, Liberia and so on. Nigeria is fully committed to regional peace.”

Speaking in the same vein, Ogbole-Ode said Nigeria, as “a responsible member of the international community, was bound by agreements it entered into.”

But the opposition argued on Sunday that it was not ideal for the Federal Government to send soldiers to Mali to fight for peace at a time that Nigeria was in the thick of an insurgency.

Attacks by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, since last year have claimed at least 3,000 lives.

The All Nigeria Peoples Party said that although there was nothing wrong if Nigeria sent soldiers to Mali, the present security situation at home did not warrant it.

Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said there was no need for Nigeria to abandon its problems while trying to solve that of other countries.

He said, “The present problem facing the country requires the attention of members of our armed forces. Our security is zero.

“Let us sit down and face our own problems first before handling that of others for them. We are at danger here already. Let us prevail on the government not to send our soldiers to a foreign land when they have work to do here.”

Also, the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande, cautioned the Federal Government over the plan to deploy troops in Mali.

Akande, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Lani Baderinwa, on Sunday, charged the Federal Government to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country before venturing out to Mali.

“Charity begins at home. We must not be like the proverbial ostrich that buries her head in the sand while her rump is out in the open,” the ACN chairman said.

He wondered why the government contemplated deploying troops in Mali when Africa was not the centre-point of the nation’s foreign policy.

“It is ironic that the government would contemplate sending troops abroad when our security agencies are finding it extremely difficult to combat the security challenges in the country,” he stressed.

http://www.punchng.com/news/fg-to-send-soldiers-to-fight-islamists-in-mali/

Foo/lish man and foo/lish government,them never fight Boko haram finish na another country them wan go fight.

entirely predictable

I hope this helps to solve our own problem at home too. I cannot even begin to imagine Africa really becoming the center of this fight against islamic fascists. We are no where ready for all this and it is clear in the way we are handling the scourge in the North.

This people too like trouble, which one be se man pikin no go listen to music?

people that ran away from boko haram

You see why the government will not be taken serious by other countries? You are going to fight in another man's country whilst your country is in serious wahala. The insecurity in this country has not been curbed and you want to fight in another country? Let us not deceive ourselves, this is another avenue for people to squander and share money. This na avenue for the boiz to be settled. Arrangee government. After making such irresponsible decisions, they expect people not to use the social media to speak against them.

On a serious note though, if the government has genuine intentions in this matter, how will people believe them now? People are so used to deceit from this government that it is difficult to see the good in this. One thing I assure them is that if they are truthful this time, people will still come here to applaud them later. We are waiting.

okosodo: people that ran away from boko haram

shut up oga. if boko haram is so strong as you think, then why are they hiding? why cant they come out and face Nigerian army somewhere in an open space.


@op, but sometimes I wonder why Islam is such a devilish religion.

Nigeria always carry other peoples problems on their head... U r yet to defeat dumb boko haram, u want to go and fight boko haram oga, when the problem is eventually settled, the first thing would be to deport nigerians, and south africa would go and set up multi billion $ biz there, after watching as observers..

blkmum700:
[b]
Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said there was no need for Nigeria to abandon its problems while trying to solve that of other countries.

He said, “The present problem facing the country requires the attention of members of our armed forces. Our security is zero.

“Let us sit down and face our own problems first before handling that of others for them. We are at danger here already. Let us prevail on the government not to send our soldiers to a foreign land when they have work to do here.”

Also, the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande, cautioned the Federal Government over the plan to deploy troops in Mali.

Akande, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Lani Baderinwa, on Sunday, charged the Federal Government to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country before venturing out to Mali.

“Charity begins at home. We must not be like the proverbial ostrich that buries her head in the sand while her rump is out in the open,” the ACN chairman said.

He wondered why the government contemplated deploying troops in Mali when Africa was not the centre-point of the nation’s foreign policy.

“It is ironic that the government would contemplate sending troops abroad when our security agencies are finding it extremely difficult to combat the security challenges in the country,” he stressed.
[/b]
http://www.punchng.com/news/fg-to-send-soldiers-to-fight-islamists-in-mali/

These people should just keep quite and stop disturbing the media. We have more than enough soldiers already. .recently another 3000 recruits were celebrated after a succesful completion of their course (67th course).
If Mr. President decide to tie down soldiers in Nigeria just to fight these local attention seeking boko rubbish, these same pot bellied and mouth watering polithievescians would still come out to insult the government for not allowing our soldiers go out of the country. . .some would even insult the soldiers. .giving them names like lazy, local champ. . .



Please lets stop listening to all these power envious bas.t.ards disturbing the peace of the nation with all these uneccessary hullabaloo on t.v or the papers. . . please lets understand the principles of a political party (opposing).
They have absolutely nothing to offer but when it comes to fault findings, they are ready to go extra miles.


God bless Nigeria!

We still get boko haram abi na haram boko to deal with oh!

What's the difference between the islamist in mali and boko haram in Nigeria. So far, what have they been able to do concerning the boko-boys issue. Bunch of Retardeen..

oga jona hav u finish d BH?

Charity begins at home
LWKMD

Actually I support the deployment of troops to Mali. Nigeria is a regional power, and as such she has a responsibility to ensure regional security. Insecurity in countries across our borders, if not contained early, is likely to lead to an exodus of refugees to other countries, Nigeria inclusive.

Besides, a sensible government can use such intervention for its advantage e.g by securing better trade deals, access to resources etc. Sensible Western governments do this all the time, why can't we?

Na wao 4 this Gej oh, our country islamic jihadist Boko haram is here killing any time of the hour they wish, and he want to send soljier to another country. Besides that Africa is the centre pace of Nigeria, he should have solve ours first. May God help us.

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:5

Before you do something, use yourself as an example before you try it on others. #foodforthought

This is a healthy decision. These guys are tied to Boko and might be the group arming foundamentalist groups across west Africa. To suggest that they should be left alone because we have BH to contend with sounds shortsighted. If they are allowed such a massive permanent base in West Africa, we are totally screwed because there will be no peace since their ultimate aim is to take over as much territory across the continent as possible. The best thing to do is to take mayhem to their doorstep thereby starving other al-qaeda cells in the region of their life support; send large numbers of RUTHLESS soldiers to Mali, with or without the dodgy UNs mandate . These guys in Mali are more deadly than Boko and must be uprooted ASAP.

Dear president Jona,What about the crisis in our own country Abeg no leave your load to carry another pesin load o 'cos that is foolishness.

There are times i wonder why some pple deem it fit to defend this political class at ALL TIMES AND AT ALL COSTS.
But i'm sure you pple do know that there are a few times when the decision jonathan administration makes will be wrong? as in you do comprehend that its is actually possible for the govt of the day to make mistakes and do wrong?

?



where and how does it ever make sense for a country struggling to deal with insurgency within its own borders to send its troops to go fight insurgency in another country?

This was the same way he ran his mouth during the Libya issue, and presto most of the illegal arms that got out of libya found their way to nigeria, along with ready fools to use them and train others.

now you are going to mali, your soldiers will be soldiers there and commit a few crimes. you add some more disgruntled fanatics into the Nigeria haters mix. For a country with little or no security, no borders and no political will, THIS IS A VERY STOOPID DECISION

WHAT A SHAMELESS GOVEMENT I HOPE OUR PRESIDENT NEED TO TAKE ALOMO TO GO AND SLEEP AND WAKE UP AGAIN

okosodo: people that ran away from boko haram

Well done Braveheart! We saw you tackling BH alone. No wonder you made your statement with such authority.

GEJ and his misplaced priority form of administration. #Godiswatchingyou

HNosegbe: Actually I support the deployment of troops to Mali. Nigeria is a regional power, and as such she has a responsibility to ensure regional security. Insecurity in countries across our borders, if not contained early, is likely to lead to an exodus of refugees to other countries, Nigeria inclusive.

Besides, a sensible government can use such intervention for its advantage e.g by securing better trade deals, access to resources etc. Sensible Western governments do this all the time, why can't we?

^^^^^When they terrorist change there attitude to cut off the head before killing the body.When we become top agenda/target.I mean look at a nation like USA.There spear heading the campaign against extremism puts them as the most wanted on the terrorist list.So is Nigeria strong or advanced enough going by there failure to curb even Boko-haram,to shoulder the repercussions of Al-qaida and many more unknown terrorist affiliates in Africa.In a case they see us as a key regional treat to there goals and shift emphasis to crippling the nation.lastly this are french speaking nations and not our best of buddies at the most.Let France get a proxy of there own in the west African region and motivate them to assist.Abi directly get involved.
Its two things i see.Either we keep away and prepare to re-enforce ourselves or go on the offensive all out.That includes hitting them anywhere in Africa.We may suffer at the beginning but later we could pick-up.So there is no in between.All out or stay away and anticipate our problems.

The decision to send troops to Mali is a welcome development. The situation in Northern Mali must be resolved quickly and militarily. The islamist in Mali must be defeated in a brutal and bloody way to serves as an example to Boko Haram and their cohorts who profits through violence.

Militant islam must not be allowed to have stronghold in any part of West Africa as it threatens regional peace and development.

We must support ECOWAS to end the reign of terror and impunity in Mali for the good of everyone.

A fire is burning down your house, and so your rush to get water for your neighbor's home

Na wa oo

Maybe the president was drunk when taking the decision. World leaders would be laughing at the gullibility of our president. Really its indeed embarrasing to be a Nigerian Right now with a president like Gej. Presidents of other countries will never do what our president is doing.. What a shame.

I dnt knw what is wrong with this GEJ,i dnt even knw whether he has brains at all....day after day boko boyz keep on terrorizing in d north instead of sending large amount of troops to fill every nocks and crannies of d area he instead decided to send troops to mali,for what? Why did other ecowas state not assist us in time of need? I keep on saying we got a dumb brain man as president of 9ja and is high time we do the right thing....PEACE KEEPING MY FOOT! U house is on fire instead of putting off the fire u left urs 2 burn in other to put off the fire in ur neighbours house..THOSE IT MAKE SENSE?

I guess a lot of Nigerians dont know that Northern Mali is the head quarters of Boko haram and other Islamist troops operating in West Africa. It was even reported that new BH recruits are being trained in Northern Mali.
Take it or leave it;Nigeria has fought the Boko Haram organisation well. Our challenge is just in the intelligence gathering arena with regards to exposing suicide bombers.
West african nations ganging up to fight the Islamists is the only alternative.

Another effort by GEJ to sacrifice more citizens.

Its like GEJ is on a mission to reduce our population by fire by force.

I'm totally in support. Fighting the militants in Mali and fighting Boko Haram are almost the same thing. Boko Haram sent fighters to assist the militants in Mali. Just imagine how much power Boko Haram would have if the islamists in Mali take over the whole country. Mali would become a staging post for islamists attacks across West Africa.

When your neighbour's house is on fire, you better help him put out the conflagration or your house will be next.

However, we need to up our game. Our efforts against Boko Haram have not really been impressive.

Another way to kill idle soldiers, reduce their population, waste Tax payers money, collect & embezzle foreign military grants. Charity begins from home, lets start Boko first cos its free of charge.