UNAMID Press Release No/11/2008
4 February, 2008

Nigeria commended for supporting UNAMID

El Fasher / N. Darfur – The Nigerian government has been commended for its display of high level support and commitment to the UN-AU hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

UNAMID’s Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada, made the commendation in El Fasher, North Darfur while receiving a 21-member delegation of the Nigerian Army, headed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Luka Yusuf who is on a four-day assessment visit of its troops in Darfur. “By your rank, we are convinced that Nigeria is committed to the welfare of its troops in Darfur,” Mr. Adada said.

Mr. Adada also applauded Nigeria for, not only being one of the biggest troops contributing country, but also for providing General Martin Luther Agwai to command the forces, adding that the visit of the delegation, and the release of Gen Agwai is a glowing testimony of Nigeria’s dedication and commitment to African issues. “Soldiers in peacekeeping operations sometimes feel like parentless children, and when they receive a high profile delegation like this, it serves as a morale booster not only for the troops but also for the mission as a whole,” Mr. Adada said.

Earlier, the Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai, briefed the delegation on the challenges of the new mission which he stressed was different from its predecessor the African Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS).

General Agwai stated that, while AMIS was a donor-driven, observer mission, UNAMID requires all contingents to be self sustaining according to United Nations standards, emphasizing that all contingents are expected to provide adequate capability to sustain themselves , including feeding.

In his response The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Luka Yusuf intimated that Nigeria’s president was profoundly committed to adequately equipping Nigerian troops in all missions around the world including Darfur. He reiterated that an on-the-spot assessment like this would put them in a better stead to brief the President, adding that as soon as delegation return, it would not take long before the contingent in all missions will be supplied the required equipment.

The delegation visited Darfur to physically assess the welfare of the Nigerian contingents, and has since left for Nyala.

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For more information contact:

Noureddine Mezni,
Spokesman, UNAMID
(249) 912 174 276;
n.mezni@yahoo.fr

Daniel Adekera,
Public Information Officer, UNAMID
(249) 915 060485;
adekera@un.org;

Website: http://unamid.unmissions.org