August 24, (THEWILL) – The United States government says it has no plans or intentions of establishing a military base in Nigeria.
Earlier in May, US chargé d’affaires in Nigeria, David Greene, had refuted reports of any plan to set up any base in the country.
Similarly, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, refuted reports of any plans for a US military base in Nigeria.
Speaking during a media roundtable with select journalists in Abuja on Friday, the West Africa Coordination Element Lead, Department of Defence, US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Ekman, emphasised that no discussions were held between Nigeria and the US over the establishment of a military base as was speculated after the announcement of their withdrawal from Niger.
He explained that AFRICOM and the Department of Defence had been supporting the three main objectives of democracy, government, and human rights in Africa.
According to him, the support also includes mutually beneficial trade and investment, human capital development, and working with authorities on security, stability, and prosperity.
Ekman, who said his visit to Nigeria, focused on addressing security challenges in the Sahel region, clarified: “There are no plans for a US base here in Nigeria. I recognise it is a popular concern. I recognise that the presence of US forces comes with costs and benefits, depending on the context but I just want to reassure you there are no plans.
“I am aware of no discussions between US and Nigerian authorities on placing a US base in Nigeria as a result of the Niger withdrawal. I want to be perfectly clear on that.
“However, the problem we’re trying to solve is Sahelian-based violent extremism, and if the US is not functioning in Niger, the question is then where should we be? That’s what led us to an outside-in approach relative to the Sahel. And then anytime you talk about outside-in, the important question is ‘What is Nigeria’s role, given the strength of the nation, given the closeness of our partnership?’ So, it’s a very natural question and I’m not surprised that some people assumed that there were discussions going on about this.
“As military strategists, we talk about key terrain. And right now, the key terrain dealing with ISIS-Sahel and with JNIM is in the tri-border region that includes the western part of Niger and also Burkina Faso. That terrain is very important. Just ask our Burkinabe partners. That partnership, as you know, has waned. So, what we are doing is boosting our cooperation with Cote-d’Ivoire, Ghana and other allies with more training and collaboration.”
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