Nigeria Ready for U.S. Military

(Washington, D.C.) Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua met with President Bush yesterday and stated that his country is will partner with the U.S. military Africa Command (AFRICOM) for security on the continent.

The statement is a reversal of his country's position with regard to AFRICOM. Previously, the official position was that Nigeria would not support the presence of U.S. troops on African soil.

But at a press briefing at the Oval Office, with President George W. Bush in attendance, Yar'Adua made known his new position.

"We have discussed on security issues, security within Nigeria, the Niger Delta, the Gulf of Guinea and peace and security on the African continent. We shall partner AFRICOM to assist not only Nigeria but also the African continent to actualise its peace and security initiatives. It is an initiative to have standby forces in each of the regional economic groupings in Africa," said the President.

The President did not give details of the discussion on AFRICOM, such as whether Nigeria will be used as the Command's base, an issue that has emerged contentious in recent times.

A U.S. military base in West Africa is interesting to ponder.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.