Are you proud of your armed forces?
The relationship between many Africans and their armed forces has always been less than cordial.

This is in part due to the role many armies have played in politics - from intervening in the process of democratic governance through coup d'etats to the violent suppression of demonstrations.

But many African armies have also been engaged in peacekeeping duties across the continent and the world in places such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Lebanon and Kosovo, helping to end conflict and strife.

What is your image of the armed forces? Are they professional? Do you think they are treated fairly? Do you treat them with respect? Would you let your child join the army? What do you think the role of the the army in your country should be?

I am proud and respect Nigeria Army because they are highly professional and have been helping in keeping Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and World in peace. More so going by the history of Nigeria they have ruled the country more than the civilians and life was a lot better in their time than during civilian time. Before the present government they were not treated well. I can let my child join Nigeria Army if he/she desire. Their role should be to protect the country from external agression.

Etunwaoke Augustine, Ibadan - Nigeria


With the crime problems in South Africa. I'd rather have 60 000 more policemen than the 60 000 soldiers we have at the moment.

The police are pathetically equipped and facing well-armed criminals while the government spends billions on toys for a military that is unlikely to see serious activity anytime soon.

William MacDonald, Durban, South Africa

Nigeria army are probably the most useless on the continent.

at least the other rag tag army and rebel groups in Africa have something they believe and are ready to die for. Nigeria army believe in corruption and is not ready to lose a finger for anybody.

bilymuse:

Nigeria army are probably the most useless on the continent.

billymuse it sad how you use a tiny fraction to jugde a whole bunch.well internationally the nigerian army is more respected than nigerian business men based on professional achievements.

superboi:

billymuse it sad how you use a tiny fraction to jugde a whole bunch.well internationally the nigerian army is more respected than nigerian business men based on professional achievements.

Of course foreigners who have never been to the country might have respect for the Nigerian army, they don't have to deal with given them offering or "thanksgiving" everyday.

Regardless, the Nigerian Army has achieved a lot for Africa.

General Martin Luther Agwai is currently the commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur, and Lt-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor is the Military Adviser to the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations at U.N. headquarters in New York.

Agwai has Degrees in Public Administration (with distinction), and National Resource Strategy, while Obiakor has an MSC in Strategic Studies.

Not really, no. Of course the army is a "respected" institution; they ran the country for much of its history. They even crippled the other parts of the armed forces in their bid to retain power--see Nigeria's laughable airforce. What they are known for is peacekeeping; now I do mean to disparage peacekeeping with this statement: Peacekeeping is what happens when both sides in a conflict have agreed to a ceasefire and need a third party to enforce the peace. I am not saying that it isn't as dangerous to some men and women on the ground as war is. The reality is being a peacekeeping force isn't a sign of military might. Hell Cuba did much more for the course of Southern African independence from white minority rule than Nigeria did. So if you want to look up to them be my guest, I just find it hard to reconcile some South African's respect for Nigerians and the murder of them in xenophobic pogroms in South Africa. Can't have it both ways people.

Am very proud of our armed forces,simply the best in our continent

There is nothing about them to be proud of.