Nigeria withdraws troops from Darfur hybrid mission
July 19, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Nigeria has decided to withdraw its troops participating at the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMIS), the United Nations confirmed on Friday.
Different reports said the move is motivated by internal concerns.
The West African country which is one of the major contributors to the UN peacekeeping missions, is facing a growing rebellion in northeast Nigeria led by a radical Islamist group called Boko Haram.
Since last May, president Goodluck Jonatha declared a state of emergency in the three north-eastern states and thousands of extra troops were sent to the region but Boko Haram remains defiant and no political solution on the horizon.
“The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) confirms that Nigeria has officially notified it of its intention to withdraw some of its troops from the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur, UNAMID”, said Martin Nesirky, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on Friday.
Nesirky added that the DPKO is in contact with several countries to replace the 1200 Nigerian troops, emphasising that they are “very appreciative of Nigeria’s continued support to UN peacekeeping”.
Regarding reports about a possible withdrawal of Nigerian soldiers from Mali, the UN spokesperson said the peacekeeping department has not received any official notification from Nigeria.
According to a report the joint mission released on 12 July, the UNAMID strength military personnel stands at 14800, including 14,139 troops, 324 staff officers, 253 military observers and 84 liaison officers.
UNAMID soldiers continue to suffer attacks from unknown gunmen in Darfur, a western Sudan region were insurgent groups fight against the government army since ten years ago and where tribal violence forced over 300,000 civilians to flee their villages.
(ST)