Govt orders withdrawal of troops from Mali The Guardian President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the withdrawal of the country’s troops from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). MINUSMA took over from the African International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA) under which Nigeria deployed in February this year. This is the first time in the history of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations that Nigeria is unilaterally withdrawing own troops over disagreement with the way mission operational headquarters is staffed. In February this year, Nigeria deployed a total of 1,200 troops for the AFISMA operation, comprising a Nigerian Army battalion plus strength of 900 troops and Nigerian Air Force strength of 300 troops. In addition, a Signal Squadron of 61 personnel was deployed. The Air Force also deployed two Dassault-Breguet Dornier Alpha fighter jets and two Mi-35 Helicopters for the Malian operation. In addition, the Nigerian Contingent Air Component has deployed the C-130 Transport Hercules and the medium carrier, the G222 for the operation. It, however, lost one of the Alpha jets and two pilots in the Malian operation.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 10:05:38 +0000
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