In the bid of countries of the Economic Community of West African States to resolve the crisis in Mali, Nigeria is putting final touches to the deployment of troops to the war torn country.
Nigeria’s President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, told foreign envoys in the country on Monday that Nigeria will deploy troops later this week to Mali.
At a cocktail at his residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan told the envoys: “We are confronted presently with a situation in Mali.
“Let me assure you and the global community that as a nation we will work with other nations to make sure that the problem in Mali is solved.
“Already, our technical team is in Mali.
“So, definitely, the Nigerian troop will be in Mali before next week.”
Jonathan said the leadership of ECOWAS will meet again over the weekend on the situation in Mali, adding that they would no longer tolerate extremism.
He said: “Of course, we members of ECOWAS are meeting this weekend.
“Our expectation is that by next week, most other ECOWAS countries that pledged troops would have sent them so that our men will be on ground to assist Mali to liberate the country.
“We can no longer surrender any part of the globe to extremism, because it doesn’t pay and we don’t know the next victim.
“We must collectively discourage individuals or group of individuals that will take laws in to their hands and make the world a place that is not safe for all of us.”
Jonathan expressed gratitude to the home governments of the envoys for standing by Nigeria during its trying times.
He said: “I want to through you thank your heads of governments for standing with us at our various challenges and difficult moments.
“During the floods, the terrorism attacks, the air mishaps of Dana and the helicopter crashes and when I lost my brother.
“I also want to thank them for the support and goodwill for my administration last year and I look forward to work for our mutual benefits.
“I am aware that building a strong economy will lead to a stronger country and we are committed to do just that.
“I’m not one to diminish the challenges my country faces and that is why we are strengthening democratic institutions.
“We have our challenges but we will continue to play her international role to restore peace.”
The Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Congo to Nigeria, Mrs. Olumba Kumba, who is the acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, noted that Nigeria enjoys international trust and respect.
While expressing sympathy over various tragedies that befell the country last year, Kumba tasked Nigerian historians to properly document Nigeria’s contributions to international peace and security.
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