₦airaland Forum

More oil refineries need to be built in the Niger Delta.

I support this but more needs to happen.

Ileke-Idi, maybe you should come to the Niger Delta and see it for yourself.

benlay,

Stop embarrasing yourself!  

He is not Igbo. Learn to read a thread before you comment.

Remember that Africans have a diverse genome. If everyone died around the world, but Africa survived, most of the world's genes would survive since we the original man.

It is not far-fetched that a black couple can create a white baby. It is in our genes, since the original man came from Africa.

No. . .

Does this seem like the Liberians were upset with the Nigerians? All I see is cheering crowds.

Nigerian peacekeepers roll into Monrovia

By DECLAN WALSH in Monrovia

Nigerian peacekeepers rolled in battle-scarred Monrovia to a roaring reception from ecstatic Liberians today, raising hopes that the city's suffocating siege is finally over.

Hundreds of thousands thronged roads and streets as grinning Nigerians soldiers flashed v-signs from an armoured convoy that trundled down the bullet-pocked streets.

The convoy passed by the Congress building where legislators quietly accepted President Charles Taylor's formal resignation letter in which he blamed an "international conspiracy" for his downfall.

Mr Taylor promised in a television interview to hand power to Vice President Moses Blah next Monday. His economics minister, speaking in London, said he might leave the country "sooner than expected".

On the streets joyous Liberians flung themselves before Nigerian armoured personnel carriers; other reached out to brush the boots of soldiers who blew them kisses.

"It's beautiful, it's beautiful," said Nigerian Lt-Colonel Amos Nudamajo.

Some 3,250 West African troops with the rescue mission, known as Ecomil, are expected to arrive by month's end.


"We are tired of dying. We want peace in our country," said student Danish Gbawoquiya, who held an upside down sign that read "Ecomil we love you."

The deployment has halted a relentless, two-month rebel offensive that cornered Mr Taylor in Monrovia, his last redoubt, but also killed over 1,000 civilians and sparked a massive humanitarian crisis. Exorbitant fuel and food prices have suffocated the oceanside city, clean water is rare and disease epidemics threaten.

The city centre, largely deserted for over two weeks as shells rained down and bullets whizzed through the streets, slowly resuscitated back to life yesterday.

Some residents returned home from refugee camps, a handful of shuttered shops opened their doors. But with the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy rebels still controlling the port, the city remained famished.

"There are no more rockets, now we feel safer. But we are still hungry," said corner shopkeeper Goffa Manewal, returning to his ransacked business.

The rebels have promised to allow aid through the port but so far none has arrived.

Just over 40 of Liberia's 90 representatives and senators turned up for the session in the deserted Congress building to rubber-stamp Mr Taylor's resignation letter. In a letter read to the legislators Mr Taylor blamed an "international conspiracy", including UN arms sanctions, for having forced him from office.

"They have prevented me from carrying out my constitutional responsibility of defending the country and providing essential social services to the people," he wrote.

"Therefore I, as the president of this noble republic can not preside over the suffering and humiliation of the Liberian people."

Like many public buildings, looters had filleted Congress. Offices along deserted corridors were stripped clean, carpets ripped up and electrical cabling hung from the broken ceiling. Even Taylor's own supporters said he had to go.

"It is in the interest of saving the lives of the Liberian people," said Rep. Ben Patten, who fled his home to escape the rebel advance.

Of the 10 legislators in his Monserrado County base, five had fled to the US or Ghana, Rep Patten addded. "Those of us who did not have the money for the plane are still around," he admitted.

After weeks of uncertainty, Mr Taylor's resignation seems almost certain. His chosen successor, Mr Blah, is a friend from his days of guerrilla training in Libya in the mid 1980s. The burning question now is whether he will flee into exile on Monday, as the LURD rebels are demanding. As ever, doubts hung over the wily president's intentions. Mr Taylor is struggling against a war crimes indictment brought against him by the Special Court in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

A Boeing 707 plane carrying a container full of weapons landed at Monrovia airport on Wednesday night, sources said. The delivery sparked a confrontation between Nigerian troops and waiting government soldiers, which ended with the laden plane taking off again.

The office of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, which has offered Mr Taylor asylum, said his office was "finalising arrangements" for his departure.

Meanwhile about 2,300 US soldiers remain stationed at American warships anchored about 100 miles off the Liberian coast. A seven-strong team of marines is in Monrovia to liaise with the African mission but President George Bush has yet to decide whether to deploy his troops for onshore peacekeeping.

Mr Bush has set Taylor's departure and an effective ceasefire as pre-conditions for American engagement.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/liberia/news/article.cfm?l_id=460&objectid=3517087

UN envoy hails Nigeria's peacekeeping efforts in Liberia

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Liberia Ellen Loj on Sunday commended Nigeria for its immense contribution to peacekeeping efforts in Liberia, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Monday.

Loj, who is also the Head of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL),disclosed this while decorating 120 officers of the Nigerian Police Unit (NPU) with UN Peacekeeping Medals for their meritorious service in the Liberian central city of Gbarnga.

She also commended Nigeria's peacekeepers for being well-equipped in providing creative and home-grown expert solutions to complex global challenges.

The UN envoy said Nigeria had stood head above shoulders in promoting peace, security and conflict resolution in Africa and in the global arena.

"Nigerian peacekeepers come to peacekeeping operations with knowledge, skills and experience, laced with insights and depth that are as rich and diverse as their country," she said.

"Since 1960, Nigerian peacekeepers have participated in about 20 peacekeeping missions, ranking her fourth among the 130 UN troop and police-contributing countries," she added.

According to Loj, Nigeria has a heavy and important footprint in the Liberian peace process, adding that Nigerian police officers have worked tirelessly in various capacities to bring law and order to Liberia.

"You have carried out many complex tasks, including anti-crime patrols, cordon and search, stop and search, rescue operations, crowd control, riot dispersal operations and escort duties," she said.

"Through your many accomplishments, you have made the UN proud," Loj added.

Singling out the contribution of the 18 female officers in the 120-strong Nigerian police contingent, she commended them for their tenacity, selflessness, hard work and resilience.

The UN envoy stressed the need for the development of the Liberia National Police, which she said, was essential for sustainable peace in Liberia.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6738003.html



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As you can see, there is two sides to every story.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428915#msg6428915 date=1279774949]SMH @ the way you addressed ra-pe issues tho.[/quote]I did not even mention r-ape. You all did.

I never did mention it. Simply speculated that the women could have been their girlfriends or even ashawo who sold themselves to make money.

You all speculated that they could have been r-aped which is possible. But in a rush to judgement, you women condemned the soldiers for having relations with the local women when it may not have been r-ape.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428910#msg6428910 date=1279774693]The article only addressed the issue of Nigerian men whoring around in Liberia and forsaking their responsibility.

Like we've been telling you, women find it hard to report despoil. Especially when they have their PROTECTOR doing the harm.[/quote]Are you not speculating?

The article did not even mention r-ape.

These numbers were probably exaggerated as well.

And from previous reports of the Nigerian soldiers in Liberia, the Liberian people were thankful for them and even watchdog groups said that acted very professional. Until another story says otherwise, I will give these soldiers the benefit of the doubt.

What I am more worried about is that these soldiers brought back HIV with them. This is truly upsetting fact of this case.

Exposing thousands of Nigerian women to this dreaded virus!

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428902#msg6428902 date=1279774332]So it makes it okay to ra-pe women in Liberia? Civilians they were sworn to protect?

You disappoint me, mehn.[/quote]Like I said before. . .

Where in this article did it say that the women were R-APED?

It is a simple question. If the soldiers did indeed R-APE these women, then I retract my previous statement. But you cannot make an accusation without facts.

That is nothing new. They did that to Igbo women in Biafra! 

Every Igbo man was told stories of how some of kin were r-aped by Hausa soldiers or even taken up to the north never to be heard from again.

To the brave soldiers: GO TO LIBERIA AND MULTIPLY. . .  

Kobojunkie:
How old are you? For pete's sake how frelling old are you to even utter the words you do on this issue? Who raised you?

Old enough to know that you are trying to demonize the men for doing what soldiers do when they are far from home. Have relationships with the local women!

When has that been a sin? You say a soldier who is fighting in another country cannot have relations with a woman who wants to keep him company?

Rubbish!

Ileke-Idi and Kobojunkie,

You all have been tainted by the West. Feminism is not good for African women. Cleanse yourselves of that filth and be happy for our Nigerian soldiers. They are creating more Nigerians!

Now we have people in Liberia with Nigerian roots.

Kobojunkie:
In all when it comes to women issues in Africa, we get a failing grade to this very date. Women and children are still threated as sub-beings. Imagine someone saying things like "our men have needs", not even considering the fact that these "needs" lead to producing of helpless humans who these men ought to be made to care for. Can the same get away with getting those "needs" met in places like america or western world without also being forced in some way to deal with the consequence of that release?

Seriously, these "youths of today" make me cringe sometimes. I can't believe a person can say it is Ok for a soldier to offer a hungry woman food in exchange for sex . . .  isn't that what we term abuse?

Don't we all have needs. These women could have kept their legs closed. Why should we blame the men? These women should have known that these soldiers would only be here temporarily. They were just having fun and getting their needs fulfilled. And I am pretty sure the women had no problem when they were doing the act.

I am getting tired of women demonizing men. It takes two to create a child. It is not the man's fault, it is the woman for allowing him to get his pleasure.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428862#msg6428862 date=1279773081]No she's not. I love her way of thinking 
KoboJ understands Igbo? cooooooooooooooool

Picture of Yoruba native wear is making you go crazy?  Sure you're not Yoruba?[/quote]You changed your pic quick. 

I see how it is. And unfortunately she understands Igbo. . . I found that ugly truth after I was putting that Ngwa boy in his place.

Kobojunkie:
Sigh!!  I don't even know where to start.

Maybe I should not even bother . . . goodluck!

You are just one of the most insidious person I have ever come across Nairaland. I really meant it. I think you argue for the sake of arguing. And to make matter worse, I can't even write in Igbo without you knowing!

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428848#msg6428848 date=1279772678]LOL Wow![/quote]How dare you tempt me with that picture of yours? Shame on you!

This is what the Nigerian soldiers were faced with. Voluptuous Liberian women. Men have needs and you are making my needs go crazy!

OgidiBoy:
If non of these women was r a p e d by these soldiers then I don't see what the problem is. Nigerian soldiers r a p e d thousands of Igbo women

when they invaded Biafra, that's why today you see alot of very dark skined Igbos  and you wonder were the got their blackness from.

We don't need none of that my friend. Yes, Nigerian soldiers did r-ape a lot of Igbo women, we can't deny that ugly truth, but many Igbos were just as black even before they came to our land.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428840#msg6428840 date=1279772499]Just because ra-pe wasnt reported, doesnt mean it didnt happen.

It's a complex issue, its not as easy to report as you think.

Esp during a war time.[/quote]Give our soldiers some credit. Liberians were thankful for Nigerian soldiers, and I heard that our fighting force was very professional in Liberia. Unlike in the conflicts within Nigeria, they behaved themselves.

Just the Nigeria swagga was too much for the Liberian women. I seen it a lot at the parties in the U.S. Dem Liberian are something else.

[quote author=Ileke-IdI link=topic=483340.msg6428830#msg6428830 date=1279772021]WOW!!!![/quote]I see you like to pick and choose different parts of my responses as well. Get the full response.

NO WHERE IN THIS ARTICLE DID IT SAY THE WOMEN WERE R-APED!

They probably gave it freely, to the Nigerian soldiers who were protecting them. Nothing turns on a woman more than someone who can protect them.

Can't soldiers have sexual relations in foreign countries without being accused of r-ape?

9jaganja:
Ezechue and you still tribal logic is good for you?

Good Lord, you people will bring tribe into a national issue. I am being nationalistic right now, not tribalistic. See as much as I try not to use the word tribe or anything associated with tribe, you people will continue to bring me back to it.

Kobojunkie:
WOW, so you were there to see what went down then?

So, American's ra-ped women in Vietnam etc means it is Ok to ra-pe women everywhere then?


Are these the youths that we expect to change the future of our country eee??

Where did I say that they r-aped them.

I said visited local women. They could have sold their bodies. Men have needs! I doubt that the men forced them to do anything since they were there to help them.

Is it so hard for you to understand that they could have been their girlfriends that they left? Or they were ashawo who sold their bodies to the men?

NO WHERE IN THIS ARTICLE DID IT SAY THAT OUR SOLDIERS R-APED THE WOMEN!

Kobojunkie:
You do realize that is FROWNED upon, especially in war times?

Men have needs as well. These women could of denied these Nigerian men access. Just saying. . .

It is not like they had a gun pointed to their head so that they would spread their legs. I don't blame the Nigerian soldiers. War can be stressful on men, and we have needs.

Wherever soldiers are located in the world, they will sleep with the local women. Americans did it in Vietnam and during WWII in Germany, UK and France.

They were living in the community. Of course they may have girlfriends. Why does everything have to lead to r-ape? Couldn't they just got the local women pregnant, and then left? Nigerian men are known for that.

Or the Nigerian soldiers had food and money, the women probably slept with them in order to feed themselves.

Ileke-Idi,

I was going to say that, but I did not want to be labeled a tribalist. Thank you for writing what I was thinking. But most likely they were Hausa, due to the large numbers of Hausa soldiers in the military.