Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan threatened Monday to keep his nation's troops out of UN peacekeeping missions unless rules of engagement are changed to help prevent soldiers' deaths.

[b]"I wouldn't want to lose one soldier carelessly, and for that reason, the UN also needs to change rules of engagement if Nigeria's soldiers must be involved in peace operations," [/b]Jonathan told an international seminar on peacekeeping.

He did not specify what new rules of engagement Nigeria wants.

Nigeria, currently a member of the UN Security Council and Africa's most populous nation, lost seven soldiers in 2007 in an ambush during peace operations in Sudan.

Last year, a Nigerian soldier was gunned down near his home in the capital of Sudan's South Darfur state by unknown attackers who stole his car.

Jonathan said militia groups ambushing and killing troops was "totally unacceptable."

The country has also notably participated in peace operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Nigeria's UN mission says on its website that there are more than 6,000 Nigerian troops serving under United Nations mandates worldwide, but it was unclear whether that number remained up to date.

Jonathan also blamed arms manufacturers in rich nations for contributing to violence in Africa.

"In Africa, one of the greatest problems is the dumping of small arms and light weapons by the industrialised countries. This encourages a lot of criminal activities, the militia groups and all kind of conflicts," he said.

Nigeria will hold presidential elections early next year, and Jonathan is widely expected to run.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ioYSTHpcfXoye4_SAAozK-CzAs7A

He did not specify what new rules of engagement Nigeria wants.

The UN Rules Of Engagement is very comprehensive. It covers every situation in any theatre of operation.
He needs to specify, otherwise that is not what he meant.

i think he means changing the UN force from peace maintaining to peace enforcers.

The soldiers are not allowed to attack the militias unless in self defence. Hence they have been sitting ducks out there in the desert.

Mind u, UN peace keepers can only attack their aggressors in self defense when the go ahead has been given by the security council (can u beat that!). Thats why western nations use the NATO umbrella when going for combat and the UN when they'll only be supervisors But Mr President needs to thread and not shut the army out of one of cash cows

This is really thoughtful of him

careytommy:

Mind u, UN peace keepers can only attack their aggressors in self defense when the go ahead has been given by the security council (can u beat that!). That's why western nations use the NATO umbrella when going for combat and the UN when they'll only be supervisors But Mr President needs to thread and not shut the army out of one of cash cows

I agree with the last statement. Its an open secret that the military fight tooth and nail to be posted to international missions eg the UN and ECOWAS. Reason being they are paid in dollars and the military chiefs have opportunities to embezzle some cash.

Therefore they would be outraged if Jonathan takes that line of action.

What have we really gained from sending our boys on Peacekeeping Missions with the UN? All the African countries we have helped to stop Civil Wars have turned back to hate us  Nigeria is hardly appreciated for anything by other African Nations. I feel it is time we start letting the ungrateful countries know that we have our own internal problems at home. If they don't stop hating on us, they can wave goodbye to us helping out when rebels cause problems in their countries. Cheers.


www.vibes-extra..com

I think it flatters our ego that we are still the giant of africa, the big brother, african police.

GEJ should not only withdraw our soldiers from UN peacekeeping but also from all other monkey engagements in ECOMOG and elsewhere, cut technical aid to other "poorer" neighbours and send refugees packing. Afteral Nigerians get deported everyday. . It is time to look inward. Look after the citizens, provide amenities, provide jobs, healthcare. social safety net and drastically increase life expectancy.

That is how to genuinely win international respect.
If no more Nigerians (except extremely greedy few) go drug trafficking in China/middle east (and get beheaded), no more crossing Sahara desert on foot (and being turned into sandwich by Ghadafi), no more having to endure xenophobia in South Africa, Russia, Ukraine/Eastern Europe and racism elsewhere, then that would be a big step forward.

Whatever amount of billions Naija now expend on international aid/peacekeeping, no one values it.

Time to stop "bigmanity" when people care suffering at home.

Redman44:

What have we really gained from sending our boys on Peacekeeping Missions with the UN? All the African countries we have helped to stop Civil Wars have turned back to hate us  Nigeria is hardly appreciated for anything by other African Nations. I feel it is time we start letting the ungrateful countries know that we have our own internal problems at home. If they don't stop hating on us, they can wave goodbye to us helping out when rebels cause problems in their countries. Cheers.


www.vibes-extra..com

Seconded! These countries are not appreciative,we get hatred in return so what's the point?

snowdrops:

I think it flatters our ego that we are still the giant of africa, the big brother, african police.

Now that's hilarious,

money?or security for the soldiers?

Yawn, we just need one foreign Sergent representing the UN to give Jonathan an ultimatum to rescind his decision and his comment will go the way of the history books.

ajadudu:

Yawn, we just need one foreign Sergent representing the UN to give Jonathan an ultimatum to rescind his decision and his comment will go the way of the history books.

It seems he is turning to the Gordon Brown of Nigeria.

what is he still waiting for? eh!

senseless president

marabout:

GEJ should not only withdraw our soldiers from UN peace keeping missions but also all other monkey engagements in AU, ECOMOG and elsewhere, cut technical aid to other "poorer" neighbours and send refugees to their countries or better still, stop fending for them in their camps. Afterall, Nigerians get deported everyday.It's time to look inward. Look after the citizens, provide amenities, provide jobs, healthcare. social safety net and drastically increase life expectancy.

That is how to genuinely win international respect.
If no more Nigerians (except extremely greedy few) go drug trafficking in China/middle east (and get beheaded), no more crossing Sahara desert on foot (and being turned into sandwich by Ghadafi), no more having to endure xenophobia in South Africa, Russia, Ukraine/Eastern Europe and racism elsewhere, then that would be a big step forward.

Any amount of money Nigeria now spends on international aid/peacekeeping, no one values it.

Time to stop "bigmanity" when people at home are suffering.

Even bigger nations like the US and china dont just come to any one's aid for the love of it (even when it's also for their own good).they always get something in return. We do things without strategy, recourse to the economy, etc. We just do things for show, we dont have allies, we're always taken unawares (i.e not given due recognition)  in diplomatic circles and international situations.we are just there!

The way forward?
We'll do well by re-defining our foreign policy by making it put national interests (it's territory, wealth and people) above all other interests

Y ar d soldeiers alwys going for peace keepin. Since i waz born its peace keepn. So this so called countries are known for chaos. 9ja beta withdraw their troops.

.

Our soldiers are dying in Sudan for nothing. What are we doing in a country that we don't gain anything?

i think is high time mr president pull out our troops to face those unsatisfied Cameroonians at check.

Just reminded me what I went through at the South African High Commission just to get visa for a one week course in Durban; a nation Nigeria put in so much for their freedom. Really, our foreign policy should have basis. The problem is that illiterate politicians make and implement the policies. the elites have left the scene.

Bongo_man:

Post responsibly

Loving Nairaland and politics section more. We now have more responsible posters and well moderated sections. Trust our youths, we are going to rebuild this nation.
Proudly Nigerians, Good people, Great Nation.

babeface3:

Just reminded me what I went through at the South African High Commission just to get visa for a one week course in Durban; a nation Nigeria put in so much for their freedom. Really, our foreign policy should have basis. The problem is that illiterate politicians make and implement the policies. the elites have left the scene.

gone are the days of the awolowos, ziks, etc. now we have document forgers and ex-cons as leaders.