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The Nigerian Contingent at UNAMSIL, Sierra Leone By Dr. Nowa Omoigui
Introduction On Saturday May 29th, UN peacekeeping day will be celebrated. For many it is a time to take stock. In various capacities, Civilian, Police and Military, Nigeria has been a proud participant in UN operations since 1960. In addition to its record of peace-keeping on a bilateral basis (Tanzania 1964), under the aegis of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Pan-African Peacekeeping Force in Chad, (1976, 1981) and the Economic Community of West African States Military Observer Group (ECOMOG, since 1990), the country has participated in the following UN operations (in no particular order): ·
Operation des
Nations Units au Congo (ONUC) · United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) · UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) · The UN Iran/Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIMOG) ·
UN Angolan
Verification Mission (UNAVEM) · United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) - for peace enforcement in Kosovo · United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) · United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) · The UN International Police Task Force (UNIPTF) · United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) · United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) · United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) · United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) · United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) · United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) - southern border between Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia · UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) · United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) · United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) · United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) · margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none">Indeed, as of the time of this writing, Nigerians hold several important senior military positions in various UN field operations. For example, Major General Samaila Iliya is the Force Commander (FC) for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). Major General Joseph Owonibi is the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Brigadier-General Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli is the Sector Commander (West) for the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL). WHY SIERRA LEONE? Among the many UN peacekeeping operations in the world to which Nigeria not infrequently contributes, the one in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) is the focus of this essay. Sierra Leone has always held a certain fascination for me. Back in early 1999, I wrote a paper titled "A Perspective on Nigeria's Involvement in the Sierra Leone Imbroglio" [http://www.nigerianscholars.africanqueen.com/debates/forpolicy/sierleone.htm]. This is a follow-up. I concluded at that time that, "...Nigeria is not the only country with a humanitarian or regional security interest in what is going on in Sierra Leone. Therefore, the country needs to carefully reposition itself in the right orbit within the universe of other interested parties (bilaterally and multilaterally). We need to titrate our investments and risk-taking to the realities of our domestic situation and the current international environment. We need to return to multilateral peace-keeping, rather than near unilateral peace enforcement." Much has happened since then. On October 22 1999, the UN Security Council created UNAMSIL with the object of cooperating with the Government of Sierra Leone and other stakeholders to implement the Lome Peace Agreement as well as assist in the implementation of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) plan. [http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unamsil/index.html] Since then, the UN has further revised the UNAMSIL mandate and expanded its size [PeaceKeeping in Sierra Leone - UNAMSIL Hits the Home Straight http://www.iss.co.za/PUBS/MONOGRAPHS/NO68/Content.html]. The initial military concept of operations (CONOPS) has been described as follows: "UNAMSIL's Mission is to deploy progressively and robustly within a coherent operational structure, dominating strategic locations and lines of communication, whilst affording and facilitating a degree of protection, freedom of movement and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians, in order to assist the legitimate Government to restore law, order, peace and stability throughout Sierra Leone." This operational concept was then reportedly implemented in four sequential phases, namely: 1 - Demonstration of UNAMSIL's credibility and test of the RUF's commitment to the peace process. 2 - Proof of UNAMSIL capability and choking off of the RUF's east/west supply route. 3 - Deployment of a strong maneuver force to secure the RUF's centre of gravity and seal the eastern border. 4 - Consolidation of the achievements of phases 1, 2 and 3; expansion of UNAMSIL's influence and support of elections Some authorities feel that a number of external factors, rightly or wrongly, assisted the process, including helicopter gunship combat operations conducted by the Guinea Armed Forces (GAF) against rebels in the Kambia, Bombali and Koinadugu districts - which resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis of its own - as well as "independent" British military activities. In the final analysis, all said and done, UNAMSIL is now in the process of adjustment, drawdown, and withdrawal. Plans are afoot for a residual 3,250-strong force that will execute the follow-on mission to UNAMSIL. Each contributor country has a contingent. Under the Force Commander (FC), the military element of the UN mission was initially divided into five sectors (1 - 5), four of which (1 - 4) were manned by a multinational brigade under the command of a Brigadier-General. Sector 1's headquarters was located at Port Loko; Sector 2's headquarters was located in Freetown; Sector 3's headquarters was located at Kenema; Sector 4's headquarters was located at Magburaka; and Sector 5's headquarters was located at Koidu. Sector 5 was originally designed as an 'integral' Pakistani brigade of over 4,000 troops. In addition, there are numerous staff officers at UNAMSIL headquarters, supported by civilians. Air assets - all of which I noticed are of ex-Warsaw pact, ex-Cold War, Eastern European/Soviet vintage - are reportedly civilian-controlled. MAP: http://www.reliefweb.int/w/fullMaps_Af.nsf/luFullMap/65293470A81E850285256E2800647283/$File/uncs_unamsil011203.pdf?OpenElement The Sectors have since been rationalized to three - Sector West (under Nigeria's Brig-Gen AN Bamalli), Sector Center (under Bangladeshi Brig-Gen Shafiquzzaman) – scheduled to close down at the end of May - and Sector East (under Pakistani Brig-Gen Sajjad Hussain Bakhusi). The present Force Commander is Pakistan's Major General Sajjad Akram. The current Chief of Staff (Force) is Britain's Col. Roland Ladley, MBE. In addition to Nigeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Zambia have contributed military personnel at one point or the other. In addition to Nigeria, Bangladesh, Canada, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe have contributed civilian Police personnel at one point or the other. As far as Nigeria's military contribution over time is concerned, the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Martin Agwai, was a former Deputy Force Commander (DFC) for UNAMSIL. There have been five (5) Nigerian Contingent Commanders, namely, 1. Brig-Gen MA Garba who served from Dec 29, 1999 to Jan 23, 2001. (who also served as DFC and briefly acted as FC) 2. Brig-Gen BA Jinadu who served from January 23 2001 to May 18, 2001. 3. Brig-Gen SBS Billiyok who served from May 18, 2001 to April 30, 2002. 4. Brig-Gen SP Guar who served from April 30 2002 to July 17, 2003. 5. Brig-Gen AN Bamalli, since July 17, 2003 To date, eighteen Nigerian battalions (NIBATTS 1 - 18), two supporting tank companies, two supporting artillery batteries and one independent company have served UNAMSIL. NIBATT 1 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 103 Battalion based at Awkunanu (near Enugu) was commanded by Lt. Col. AG Usman and served from December 1999 until December 2000. NIBATT 2 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 149 Battalion based at Ojo (near Lagos) was commanded by Lt. Col. KTG Minimah and served from December 1999 until January 2001. NIBATT 3 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 241 Recce Battalion based at Nguru (the northernmost end of the national railway network near Niger republic) was commanded by Lt. Col. A Abubakar and served from March to September 2000. NIBATT
4 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 244 Tank Battalion based at Shaki was commanded by Lt. Col. PT Boro and served from March to September 2000. NIBATT
5 This unit, known in Nigeria as the historic 5 Battalion based in Kano was
commanded by Lt. Col. I Bauka and served from September 2000 until
October 2001. NIBATT
6 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 130 Battalion based at Ogoja was commanded, first by then Lt. Col. JG Yakubu and then by Lt. Col. DD Enetie. It served from September 2000 until September 2001. NIBATT
7 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 26 Battalion based in Sokoto was
commanded by Lt. Col. JAP Oladapo and served from January 2001 until
February 2002. NIBATT
8 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 195 Battalion based at Agenebode (Edo
State) was commanded by Col. TO Ishola and served from January 2001
until February 2002. NIBATT
9 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 65 Battalion based at
Bonny Camp (Lagos) was commanded by
Lt. Col. MD Abubakar and served from
October 2001 until October 2002 NIBATT
10 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 73 Battalion based at
Elele (near Port Harcourt) was commanded, first by Lt. Col. AM
Shehu and then Lt. Col. CY Macaulay. It served from October 2001 until
October 2002 NIBATT
11 This unit, known in Nigeria as the historic 1 Battalion based at Bernin
Kebbi (Kebbi State) was commanded by Lt. Col. OO Keshinro and served
from February 2002 until February 2003. NIBATT
12 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 222 Battalion based at Ilorin (Kwara
State) was commanded by Lt. Col. A Baba and served from February 2002
until February 2003. NIBATT
13 This unit, known in Nigeria as the 35 Battalion based in Katsina was
commanded by Lt. Col. CE Odohofre and served from October 2002 until May
2003. NIBATT
14 This
unit, known in Nigeria as the 20 Battalion based at Serti was commanded
by Lt. Col. YJ Gaje and served from October 2002 until November 2003. NIBATT
15 This
unit, known in Nigeria as the 19 Battalion based at Okitipupa (Ondo
State) was commanded by Lt. Col. SA Nudamajo and served from February
2003 until August 2003. NIBATT
16 This
unit, known in Nigeria as the 192 Battalion based at Owode (Ogun State)
was commanded by Lt. Col. AS Mustapha and served from February 2003
until February 2004. NIBATT
17 This
unit, known in Nigeria as the historic 3 Battalion based at Takum (Taraba
State) is commanded by Lt. Col. SP Ovadje and has served since November
2003 NIBATT
18 This
unit, known in Nigeria as the 81 Battalion based at Ibadan (Oyo State)
is commanded by Lt. Col. CVC Okosieme and has served since February
2004. TANK
COMPANIES Two
supporting Tank companies, the first commanded by Major EA Ofili, and
the second commanded by Major AA Abubakar served from March to September
2000 and September 2000 until February 2002 respectively. ARTILLERY
BATTERIES Two
supporting Artillery batteries, the first commanded by Major MS Abdallah,
and the second commanded by Major JG Umar served from March to September
2000 and September 2000 until February 2002 respectively. INDEPENDENT
COMPANY An
independent company commanded by Major MJ Kajang has served since
February 2002. A VISIT TO
SIERRA LEONE Over the years I have quietly monitored the activities of Nigerian peacekeeping units in Sierra Leone. I had an opportunity to visit ECOMOG units there back in 1998/99 which, for some reason, I did not execute. Recently, however, the opportunity came my way again - and I seized it. This is my story. ENROUTE On that Friday, May 7, 2004, the Ghana Airways flight 0550 on an old DC-9 with registration number 5X-TRE from Accra to Freetown was late. Instead of arriving at the Lungi airport in Sierra Leone at about 1pm, we landed at 9pm. The reason? It was announced, when we finally took off, that our "scheduled flight" had coincided with "scheduled maintenance" of the aircraft. On Seat 14B, looking up into the air vent to suck up cool air, I shook my head in amazement. Anyhow, I digress. I had been invited to Sierra Leone to witness the Joint Medal Presentation Parade of Nigerian Battalions (NIBATTS) 17 & 18. It was a memorable event indeed. The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, accompanied by a high-powered team from Defence and Army HQ was also in attendance. My preoccupation, however, once I alighted from the aircraft after a long journey from Charlotte airport, NC (90 minutes drive from Columbia) through London, UK, and Accra, Ghana, was to take in my new surroundings. I knew that the Logistics Officer, Major Abiodun, had been detailed to meet me at the airport. What did he look like, I wondered? A smart officer wearing an "Afrika Corps-like" telltale blue UN hat over Nigerian combat fatigues approached me. I surveyed his rank and bearing, with a cell phone to match. It had to be him. It was. The Major, I imagined, must be an officer of the Army Supply and Transport Corps. Therefore, I reeled out one or two names of senior officers in that Corps whom I knew he would be familiar with. One was a common family friend. His eyes lit up. The ice was broken. Naturally, I was interested in how well Nigerian officers and units felt they were prepared for the mission. The Major, it turned out, has just completed an advanced NATO course in Logistics in Norway when he was deployed to UNAMSIL. The course, he said, came in handy. I was intrigued. Lungi airport is on a peninsula off the coast of Sierra Leone. Across the Bay lies Freetown, beautifully inserted against the Hills, a pleasanter sight you never spied, to borrow from the Pipe Piper of Hamelin. To get there, we would need to take a 10-minute helicopter ride, since the Hovercraft service was not operational after dark. The Major explained that the last UN Chopper shuttle had left several hours before. We would have to take the privately owned Paramount Air Travel Agency Chopper shuttle. We did, but not before I had surveyed the helicopters, all of which were ex-Soviet Mil Mi-8s flown by presumably Russian Pilots - although they could just as easily have been Ukrainians. The choppers looked like ex-troop transports, lean and mean, but without the gun-pods. All the cockpit directions were in Russian. The one we clambered onto was registered 9L-LBU. Who owns the hovercraft operation? A Nigerian entrepreneur. I actually met him at Wilberforce Barracks the next day. His name? Chief Tony Izubundu Chinyere, a pleasant and unassuming gentleman who also owned and managed the Diamond Airlines Helicopter service, now out of business. FREETOWN >From the heliport in Freetown we drove to the Hotel in a white Toyota Four-runner, the vehicle it turned out, (save for a brief ride with the acting Nigerian High Commissioner), I would use throughout my stay. At the helm was a fine Nigerian soldier, soft spoken, eloquent and thoroughly familiar with the history of Sierra Leone, the various battles of ECOMOG, and the UNAMSIL mission. Bintumani Hotel, where I was accommodated, is an imposing edifice that was originally named after the highest mountain in Sierra Leone. It is located on the highest point of the Cape - the site of an old Lighthouse. It had been shell-pocked and riddled with bullet holes during the "war" with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). A massacre of sorts even took place there and the waters of the Atlantic shores and inland waterways it overlooked were once polluted with corpses of would-be invaders and perhaps some bystanders. A Chinese consortium called the "Beijing Urban Construction Group" rehabilitated and now runs it, following its official reopening on Friday January 31st, 2003. I settled into my room and then came down to the restaurant to grab a bite. It was here that I confronted the second piece of strong evidence that the Chinese were in charge, the first being that the TV remote control in my room had instructions in Chinese. But here in the restaurant, I ordered a glass of "Chapman", expecting, as most Nigerians might, that it would be served in a huge glass mug. Instead, I got a very small glass. When I protested in Pidgin English with a Nigerian accent, the Sierra Leonian attendant explained that they had tried in vain to get their Chinese managers to understand that "Chapman" ought to be served in a big transparent mug. I was thus forced to order several "rounds" of "mini-Chapman", Chinese style, just to fill up my tank. The Chinese Hoteliers, as one might imagine, laughed all the way to the Bank. By this time the CDS and his delegation had returned to the Hotel from another busy day. They had arrived at Lungi the day before. They visited the Headquarters of the Nigerian Contingent (NIGCON), Headquarters Sector West, Murray Town, after which they paid a courtesy call on the Nigeria High Commissioner to Sierra Leone at the "Nigerian House". Then followed an address to NIGCON Troops on Spur road. On Friday, hours before my arrival, they had paid a series of courtesy calls, all of which I missed, in part courtesy of Ghana Airways. I found out that they visited the CDS, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) - Major-General Sam Mboma - at the Ministry of Defence, Tower Hill, following which they dropped in on the Deputy Minister of Defence, Ambassador Joe Blell. Then they paid a visit to President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone at the Presidential Lodge, as well as the Force Commander, UNAMSIL, at the FHQ Mammy Yoko where they also met with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG), UNAMSIL. It turned out that as my aircraft was hopping from country to country, from Accra to Abidjan and then Robertsville (Monrovia) before Lungi, the delegation had been hosted at the Force Commander's residence for dinner. Aboard the plane, I was lost in my thoughts as we hugged the beautiful West African coastline enroute to Lungi at sunset. I could not help but reflect on the great promise of Africa, the home of my ancestors. A promise yet unfulfilled. My frustration with the Chapman situation at Bintumani and reflections on the events of the preceding hours were pleasantly interrupted when a slightly built man with geometric shoulders sporting a Kaftan overall walked toward my table, with Major Abiodun in tow. Even under the Kaftan, I could make out the briskness and confidence of his gait, ramrod stiff. A soldier no doubt. The man was none other than Brigadier-General Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli, the current Contingent Commander of Nigerian Peace-Keeping Troops serving under UNAMSIL - my chief host. The Brigadier and I quickly got over pleasantries, and then discussed the agenda for the rest of the weekend. Much of our day on Saturday would be spent at Wilberforce Barracks, after which we would proceed to the Milton Margai School for the Blind on Wilkinson Road and the Amputee Camp on Aberdeen Road. Since it was late in the day and the CDS had retired to bed it would be morning before we met to set out, along with the rest of his delegation, for the day. On Friday morning, I woke up early after little sleep, jet-lagged. After taking in the beauty of the Atlantic and the breath-taking approach to the natural harbor of Freetown, I proceeded downstairs, back to the restaurant. Chapman aside, it was a fine restaurant, no doubt, and I was thrilled with the breakfast selection. I sat right in front of a Nigerian officer whom I had never met - Lt. Col. Bassey - unaware at the time that he was not only a member of the delegation that came along with the CDS but also a physician. Neither of us spoke a word, although we were to make brisk conversation later in the day. The silence was interrupted when a tall and imposing Nigerian officer arrived. Major General C I Obiakor, former Commandant, Army Corps of Artillery and School and currently General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division at Ibadan, walked in smartly and took a place at the table. I introduced myself, since we had a common link through another officer back home, a good friend of mine. Shortly thereafter, Brigadier-General MO Agu, Deputy Director Operations, Defence HQ, arrived and promptly recognized my name from articles on gamji.com. He zeroed in on the "Witness to History" series with Lt. Col. M Nzefili (rtd), which then triggered off a conversation in which the GOC participated actively. At this point Brig-Gen Bamalli walked in to invite me to formally see the CDS in his room, one floor above mine. Gone was the kaftan. Everyone was in military outfit (except me). I found particular irony - and tactical sense I might add - in the fact that the peacekeepers were wearing camouflaged combat uniforms while donning blue berets and scarves. The message seemed clear enough. "We are here to keep and build the peace but if you insist we can shoot too!" On the stairwell, enroute to the CDS, we met Brig-Gen Mathias Efeovbokhan, Director of Logistics Planning, Army HQ, and another member of the delegation. More pleasantries! After getting past his ADC, a fine Major who was stalking the halls, we went into the room and met the Nigerian CDS, General Alexander Ogomudia, engaged in conversation with a Sierra Leonian officer, Brigadier M.K. Dumbuya, Assistant CDS for Training and Personnel. As a Colonel, Dumbuya had attended the National War College, Abuja at the time then Brig-Gen AO Ogomudia was a Directing Staff. I had met first General Ogomudia back when I gave a lecture at the National War College at Abuja in 2003. Indeed, as the then Chief of Army Staff, he personally made the time to grace the lecture on civil-military relations. We spoke a while about different things of common and national interest before Brigadier-General Bamalli and I took leave to wait outside for the formal departure of the delegation. We filed out into our various vehicles and left Bintumani in a long convoy of white UN flagged vehicles enroute to Wilberforce Barracks. In my vehicle, ofcourse, was Major Abiodun, the Logistics Officer. I took in the scenery as we went along, chatting about the achievements of UNAMSIL and fears for the future. The design of the Barracks was vintage British - strikingly similar to old colonial era Nigerian Barracks. I saw much of the same West African Frontier Force (WAFF) pattern in Ghana when I previously visited the Burma Camp in Accra. Along with other contingents and Sectors, Sector West (a.k.a. Sector 1), which is under Nigerian command, has been deeply involved in capacity building of the Sierra Leone security establishment, even as it implements the Adjustment, Drawdown, and Withdrawal (ADW) program. Among the many activities in support include a recent inter-sector Skills at Arms (SAS) firing competition at Benguema, Waterloo, just outside the capital Freetown, to which the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and Sierra Leone Police (SLP) were invited. In November last year UNAMSIL troops from Ghana, Kenya and Bangladesh carried out a joint exercise with the RSLAF called 'Exercise Diamond Haven II". Meanwhile the government is implementing a three-part training and reintegration program for soldiers and officers under the guidance of the Infantry Training and Advisory Team (ITAT) at the Benguema Military Training Centre. These activities are performed under the aegis of the 110 man International Military Assistance Training Team (IMATT) comprising 97 British personnel as well as a smattering of additional staff from Nigeria, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, Dominican Republic, the USA and Canada. They supplement earlier, and in some cases, ongoing efforts on the part of Britain, Ghana and Nigeria to provide opportunities for recruit, emergency officer, short-service officer, staff and war college training. Nevertheless, based on what one witnessed, one is very concerned about the current living arrangements for soldiers and other ranks of the reconstituted Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. It can certainly be better. I am aware that the new Sierra Leone Police has been fairly reasonably funded. Nevertheless, better military (i.e. Army) living circumstances (i.e. quality of accommodation) will likely reduce Army-Police tensions, jealousies and thus mutiny-prone tendencies after the departure of UNAMSIL. AT WILBERFORCE BARRACKS We pulled up beside the Myohaung Mess, named after the Battle of Myohaung in Burma [http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/marticles/myohaung_burma_1945.htm]. As will be recalled, that famous battle (in which the 1st Battalion Sierra Leone Rifles took part) was fought on Jan 25/26, 1945. There is a plaque on the wall at the entrance to the Mess with a list of WW2 related historic battles and campaigns like Kaladan Valley etc. I went into the Mess where we sat briefly. On my way in, I spotted his nametag. I had been given a message from Accra for Lt. Col. AB Abubakar, the General Staff Officer (GSO) 1 Operations, Sector West, but had no picture or description. I bet he was startled when I looked him in the eye, identified who he was and his appointment before paying him compliments from a common friend. What he did not notice, however, was how startled I was at his striking resemblance to another old friend of mine, now deceased. I did not betray my thoughts, even when we later sat across from one another during the helicopter ride back to Lungi. THE PARADE I was later ushered to my seat outside the Mess, overlooking the parade ground, right behind a Bangladeshi Brigadier-General (Brig-Gen Shafiquzzaman, the Bangladeshi Contingent Commander and Sector Commander of Sector Center). Meanwhile, on the parade ground, a disciplined detachment of officers and men (and women) of NIBATTS 17 and 18 waited for the formal order to begin the parade. Officers fell in and the Parade Commander took his position. NIBATT 17 under UNAMSIL, which deployed in October 2003, is actually the historic 3rd Battalion Nigerian Army currently home-based at Takum, Taraba State. The Commanding Officer is Lt. Col. Stephen Peter Ovadje. NIBATT 18 under UNAMSIL, which deployed in February 2004, is actually the 81 Battalion Nigerian Army currently home-based at Mokola in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Commanding Officer is Lt. Col. Chinedum Vincent Chris Okosieme. The Parade Commander was Major Sam G Fwanje, ably assisted by Captain AY Abdulsalam who was not only the second-in-command (2ic) but also the No. 1 Guard Commander. Captain AS Mohammed was the No. 2 Guard Commander. The sub Guard Commanders were Lts. T Garba, NI Abdullahi, YH Ibrahim and M Silong. The colours (flags) were carried by Lts. I Wazin (UN), O Umusu (Nigerian), MS Adamu (Regimental) and U Nnabuihe (Regimental). The word Parade can mean "a regular place of assembly for reviews of troops" - also known as a "parade ground". It is also used to describe "a ceremonial review of troops". Furthermore, the term can be used to describe "the troops taking part in such a review." Another way it has been put is "an assembly and orderly arrangement or display of troops, in full equipments, for inspection or evolutions before some superior officer; a review of troops." Depending on the nature of the force involved, parades can be further characterized as general, regimental, or "private" (i.e. troop, battery, or company). [dictionary.com] A person of distinction usually conducts the review and is the object of honor – a practice that differs from the olden days when monarchs would typically order a dress parade for the specific purpose of impressing (or intimidating) visiting emissaries with the strength of their troops, (and thus, the State) rather than merely to honor them. I have always loved the structure, order, pomp, and pageantry of military parades. They date back in the written literature to ancient Roman times. Ancient writings are full of praise for Caesar's Horse Guard. As a young teenager I used to steal away from class to go to the library to read books about ancient Rome and Greece. I still vividly recall the title of one chapter in one of those great books. It said, "Caesar praises the Ninth Legion." Caesar's ninth legion had executed a brilliant tactical withdrawal in harrowing circumstances on an unfavorable hilly terrain, followed by a swift counter-attack against the forces of Pompey [Julius Caesar's War Commentaries De bello civili (Civil Wars): Book 3 http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_caesar_bellumciv_3.htm]. Caesar's subsequent public adulation of the troops on parade indelibly stuck to my consciousness - although the ninth legion under Letulus Marcellinus was later to suffer reverses when grossly outnumbered and surprised by Pompey. Needless to say, on that Saturday morning May 8, 2004, I was in Sierra Leone, not ancient Rome or Gaul. Special guests arrived in carefully choreographed order accompanied to the podium one by one to acknowledge parade troops before taking their seats. The Nigerian Contingent Commander, Brigadier General AN Bamalli, was accompanied by the Commanding officers of NIBATTS 17 and 18. Then the Force Commander UNAMSIL, Pakistani Major General Sajjad Akram arrived and was in turn accompanied by Brig-Gen Bamalli. General Alexander Ogomudia, leader of the Nigerian delegation, whose arrival was heralded by a General Salute, followed him. The Nigerian National Anthem, played by the military band, heralded the acting Nigerian High Commissioner’s arrival. Finally, the SRSG, Ambassador Daudi Ngelautwa Mwakawago of Tanzania, arrived. The UN Anthem heralded his arrival. At this point, the Parade Commander, Major Sam G Fwanje, took center-stage. He conducted the SRSG on an inspection of the Parade. Prayers were then delivered, first by an Imam (for Muslims) and then a Pastor (for Christians). I do not recall witnessing any prayers or rituals for those who practice African traditional religion (ATR). Interesting. Nevertheless, the CO NIBATT 17, Lt. Col. Stephen Peter Ovadje, then read the Unit Citation. It went thus: "In recognition of having completely met the requirements of eligibility And having completed the necessary period of qualifying service As members of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, The Secretary-General of the United Nations Has awarded United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone Medal To serving personnel of NIBATTS 17 and 18 Given under the hand of the Force Commander Maj Gen Sajjad Akram On This Day 8th Of May 2004" Next, the SRSG, accompanied by the Force Commander, inspected the parade and presented the medals. Then there was a march past and review order, after which the SRSG delivered a highly motivational address, praising the troops for their contributions to peace in Sierra Leone. We were also treated to a spectacle of fantastic traditional Nigerian dances from Benue State. Thereafter, following the “sound off”, hearty cheers were given and a special salutation delivered, heralded by the UN and Nigerian National anthems. The parade then marched off to a well-deserved acknowledgement from the onlooking crowd. The military band did not escape my attention through all of this. In addition to playing the Nigerian and UN anthems, it played several different tunes of music appropriate for the phase of the ceremony. Parade music, by the way, is not random noise. It has historically been used to maintain martial order and inspire the troops on parade. It is among the many military uses of field music, the others being “camp calls” to wake up troops, with a bugle for example, and special “field signals” and “skirmish calls” – using fifes and drums - which were used in the olden days (prior to the development of signals) to direct soldiers during complex battle maneuvers. The ritual during which the band in a parade marches first up and then down (by folding into itself) in front of the men in arms is typically triggered by an order to “sound off” (meaning to troop the line), followed by a special set of musical chords called “Three Cheers.” Upon return to their positions, they play the “Three Cheers” again. It is an ancient custom that dates back to the days of the Crusades, when men who had been selected as Crusaders would be placed apart with other troops on parade. The band would then march and countermarch in front of those selected as a type of dedication. Onlookers would typically cheer the entire spectacle. To this day, therefore, the parade custom of three flourishes symbolizes the applause of the populace in the days of the Crusades. THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER After the parade we moved across the field to a building on the far right side. It was the newly constructed and rehabilitated Youth Center at Wilberforce Barracks, one of many humanitarian activities undertaken by the Nigerian contingent. Unlike other projects using the UNAMSIL Quick Impact Project Fund, this one was exclusively a Nigerian Contingent (NIBATT 17) humanitarian project, funded by voluntary contributions made by Nigerian personnel. It was handed over to the Deputy Minister of Defence for Sierra Leone, Ambassador Joe Blell, the Minister for Defence being President Kabbah himself who did not attend. The hand-over ceremony symbolized the Nigerian contingent's versatility not only as a fighting force but also as a facilitator of peace. Back in May 2000, during the UN Hostage crisis, Nigerian units held their ground at the international airport at Lungi as well as the Rogbere junction in the face of bloody and unrelenting assaults from RUF cadres. In March/April 2002, a Nigerian unit, NIBATT 7, under the command of Lt. Col. JAP Oladapo, was in the vanguard of UNAMSIL troops that dared for the first time to deploy to RUF strongholds at Lunsar and Makeni in preparation for the program of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR). Various peace support activities undertaken include the supervision of Parliamentary and Presidential elections, provision of mobile clinic services, construction and management of an Under-Five clinic at Ro-Meni Curve in the Kambia district, construction of the Port Loko Home Economics center and donation of food and clothing to various amputee camps and orphanages. NIGCON units have also renovated various churches and mosques, built various classroom blocks at Murray Town, Makatic, Rokupr and Goderich as well as renovating the Kissy Police Station. With varying degrees of intensity, such activities have been integral to all Nigerian peacekeeping efforts there. Back in 2000, for example, the NIGCON donated substantial relief materials to the Save Our Souls (SOS) children's village in Freetown. To coincide with Nigeria's 40th independence anniversary, a cash contribution of one million Leones was made to the Headmaster of a community school at Rokel Bridge. But the "success" has not come without a cost. From mingling with the troops, inspite their great reluctance to open up, I sensed a frustration that Nigerians are held to a higher standard and often have to deal with a greater degree of scrutiny in the media for the smallest infractions which would not attract comment when it involves other contingents. For example, Nigerian military drivers of UN vehicles have learnt (even when right) not to contest right of road with other motorists who look forward to the smallest incident to press charges in order to get money. BACK TO THE MYOHAUNG OFFICERS
MESS. We retired to the Mess for refreshment and lunch. As we went up the steps I was personally introduced to the Sierra Leonian Deputy Minister of Defence. Ambassador Blell knows Nigeria well, having served and lived there for many years. He turned, looked straight at me and said "Nigeria is a country of paradoxes. There are good people, and there are bad people." Maybe so, I thought. On further reflection, it struck me as remarkably similar to a comment reported by the UK Telegraph newspaper on September 17, 2000 when there was turmoil in the upper ranks of UNAMSIL. At that time, then Force Commander, Indian Major General V. K. Jetley was pitched against the Nigerian military and foreign policy establishment, personified by Major General Gabriel Kpamber, then Brig-Gen Mohammed Garba, deceased Brigadier-General Maxwell Khobe, and Mr. Olu Adeniji. The Telegraph quoted an "unnamed diplomat in Freetown" as saying: "The Nigerians are a double-edged sword. They fight well and they plunder well. They consider it their payment for defeating the rebels." [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/] Nevertheless, after careful consideration, I continue to be unable to completely place the Minister's constructively ambiguous comments in context. Once seated inside the Mess, however, faced with an imposing lunch menu (including my favorite pounded yam), my mind soon drifted to other things. Officers from many different countries were milling around and I used the opportunity to survey the differences in their uniforms and take note of who was there and who wasn’t. I was struck by the "corporate casual" design of the Russian uniform. I also noticed the rather skimpy attendance of British officers at the reception. True, the Defence Adviser at the British High Commission attended the parade as did Col. Ladley - the Chief of Staff (Force) – along with a few other British officers from both UNAMSIL and IMATT. But none (unless I missed them) – out of a fairly substantially sized delegation in the country - showed up for the reception. Although I have no specific evidence upon which to draw any conclusions it did come across to me as odd. I inquired and was told that many invitations were sent out, and many politely declined for one reason or another. Perhaps, I thought (and this is entirely my own theory), there might be lingering rivalries Whitehall has with its assertive old colony, Nigeria. The British have certainly reinserted themselves well into the DNA of Sierra Leone. One British company, for example, has since secured over 30 years of diamond mining rights. Reflecting on clues from the past, it did not escape my attention that some British newspaper reports predicted such an outcome four years ago. The UK Guardian newspaper, for example, published a story on May 19, 2000 titled, "Whitehall launches second colonisation". While analyzing the British military strategy in Sierra Leone, the newspaper said that "months before this crisis, a quieter British invasion was underway. There is barely a government ministry in the African country that does not have some Whitehall bureaucrat checking the books or offering what is euphemistically called 'advice'." Among the examples given were the fact that a slew of British technocrats were actually holding positions in the civil service including the Accountant General and other senior positions in government departments dealing with Inland Revenue, economic development, national planning and even customs. In addition to the robust role played in Defence training matters (on a bilateral basis, outside the UN structure) the British also provided an Inspector General of Police. Given the antecedents of Nigeria and ECOMOG in that country (including the fact that Nigeria once provided a Chief of Defence Staff, the late Brig-Gen Khobe), it seems like a plausible (but unproven) hypothesis that Nigeria may have been viewed as a regional rival and potential threat in the execution of any alleged plans for "second colonization." I also recalled old political and military tensions with Nigerian units and commanders in Sierra Leone, dating back to the year 2000. [http://www.etrex.com/cgi-bin/slis/viewnews.cgi?newsall] There were open criticisms in the UK Press of Nigerian military training and equipment. There were even derisive newspaper accounts of clashes between junior British and Nigerian officers about elementary tactical issues like the citing of machine gun nests, and journalists went to great lengths to "catch" Nigerian soldiers not paying attention at their security posts. But more importantly, then Brig-Gen MA Garba, acting FC UNAMSIL, openly criticized British refusal to subordinate themselves to UN command, their military show of force in Freetown shortly after the November 10, 1999 Abuja peace accord was signed, and British accounts of the kidnapping episode with the "West Side Boys." It did not escape my attention back then that several members of the Sierra Leone Parliament indirectly rebuked Garba publicly. Nevertheless, following the radical change in command structure, which saw a wholesale replacement of top UNAMSIL personnel, Nigerian units went on to distinguish themselves in many ways within the multilateral UN structure, the British notwithstanding. As usual, such success - inspite of our many financial and logistic limitations - comes with a mixed baggage of envy, grudging admiration and disdain. Had all these events somehow muddied the waters, I wondered? Sitting in a mess named after a WW2 campaign in which Nigerian soldiers died for the British crown, there was some irony in the lack of adequate British representation to celebrate the occasion. Anyhow, I was brought back to the present when, after a well-deserved African buffet meal, it was time for more speeches and presentations. The CO NIBATT 17 had introduced guests and the NIGCON Commander delivered a welcome address. The NIGCON Commander introduced me publicly - and thus blew my cover - emphasizing the long journey I had undertaken to be with the troops. I was no longer the anonymous jacket-wearing civilian milling around inquiringly with a camera in hand and now seated in one corner among special guests eating pounded yam as if it was going out of fashion. The Nigerian CDS delivered short remarks, noting poignantly that the best way Sierra Leonians could show appreciation for the blood, tears and money Nigeria had expended in their country over the past decade was to ensure that peace was given a chance to succeed. The FC UNAMSIL proposed a toast to the UN, while the acting Nigerian High Commissioner, Ambassador Abubakar Yerima, proposed a toast to Nigeria. Plaques and gifts were given and exchanged. Finally there was a vote of thanks by the CO NIBATT 18 before we dispersed into the garden for more refreshments and photographs. Now that my status as an amateur military affairs writer had been openly acknowledged, many more officials, soldiers and officers, who could now place the name with a face and various prior internet writings on gamji.com, dawodu.com etc, made conversation. A Pakistani Brigadier approached me to introduce himself and shake my hands. Lt. Col. Bassey, whom I had met earlier in the day, introduced himself. I met Group Captain LA Halliru of DHQ and several other officers, middle and senior ranking. Some of the "boys" were willing to chitchat about the perspectives they had gained through multiple tours of duty in Liberia and Sierra Leone. What was the psychoanalytical and socio-economic substrate underlying the crisis in the country, I wondered? Did they feel the Sierra Leonians appreciated their hard work and sacrifice as peacekeepers, I asked? What were the strengths and weaknesses of Sierra Leonians as a people? What opportunities lay before them? What threats would they need to overcome? What was the potential for an outbreak of crisis after the departure of UNAMSIL, I inquired? Aside from the problem of spare parts and medical support, where there any other irritants in their ability as UN hatted peacekeepers to do their jobs, I mused? And did they feel they had grown professionally from the experience of peace-operations and interactions with other national contingents? How would insights from their experience abroad help their own country, Nigeria, manage its own internal conflicts? How about HIV/AIDS? The impression I got was that the soldiers liked what they were doing and did it proudly and professionally - not just because they were told to do it. Yes, they miss home and their families, but they talked about their role, and that of ECOWAS and the UN in the history of Sierra Leone and proffered strategic and policy options for the future with so much excitement and insight. Above all they all seemed very confident and proud of their Contingent Commander. Without prompting, they spoke spontaneously about him with passion and came across as feeling that under his leadership they are second to none - although the Pakistani contingent won the shooting competition. It was difficult not to notice the plurality and diversity in the contingent, whether by virtue of their nametags, accents, physical appearance or tribal marks. That was Nigeria par excellence - from the many, one unit, cohesive, professional, and focused. It’s all about leadership, I concluded. AT THE MILTON MARGAI SCHOOL FOR
THE BLIND ON WILKINSON ROAD Our convoy left the Wilberforce Barracks and headed straight for the Milton Margai School for the Blind, named after the country's first leader. It was a very touching and emotional experience. We were received with inspirational speeches, which were reciprocated by an address by the Nigerian CDS, General Ogomudia, followed by a donation of cash and relief materials. The children's choir sang several inspiring songs supported by a band. One of the songs was in the name of the General. The sophistication of their production was something to witness. Many of us bought CD-ROMS of their music to take away. As I sat there watching what was before me, one could not but wonder at the divine protection of such handicapped sectors of Sierra-Leonian society that had hung in there throughout the years of crisis. The dedication of the teachers and staff of the Milton Margai School for the Blind was impressive. I could not help but recall my last visit many years ago to the Pacelli School for the Blind in Lagos. Before leaving the premises, there was time to make small talk in the parking lot. The CDS and I discussed the ancient military history of extra-judicial amputation as a gruesome weapon of insurgency, counter-insurgency and war - all the way back to the days of Caesar, I might add. AT THE AMPUTEE CAMP ON ABERDEEN
ROAD Next, we headed for the Amputee camp on Aberdeen Road. As we had done at the Milton Margai School, there was an address by the Nigerian CDS, General Ogomudia, followed by a donation of cash and relief materials. The camp was pathetic. Previously able-bodied men and women had had their arms and legs extra-judicially amputated without anesthesia by RUF cadres during the war. To make matters worse it did not appear that they were being looked after appropriately. There were many tales of woe narrated by the amputees themselves. Two of them cornered us as we left and briefed us on the specifics and circumstances of their amputation. It was very sad. One particularly eloquent amputee expressed frustration at the difficulty they were having raising and looking after their children. I have no way of independently verifying the claim but he observed that more money was being spent on rehabilitating, integrating and trying ex-combatants than on the victims of the war. He warned that their children were growing up dispossessed and were at risk of becoming a future underclass that could re-ignite the crisis all over again. Recognizing that UNAMSIL was in the process of phased withdrawal, he expressed unambiguous appreciation to Nigeria for all she had done. I can testify that he was speaking from his heart. According to him, it was Nigeria that deserved most of the credit for stabilizing Sierra Leone. He then made an impassioned plea for Nigerian troops to remain in Sierra Leone. According to him, "I do not care if Sierra Leone is regarded as a province of Nigeria." "If you leave there will be trouble." "We will not be safe." It was an impressive, emotional and understandable plea, but one fraught with domestic and international, political, diplomatic, military and financial complexity. The CDS, General Ogomudia, evidently extremely distressed at the spectacle, gave a non-committal response, gently pointing out that Nigeria too, had its own problems, and that we could not leave forces on ground outside the country indefinitely. Although, after due process, the Nigerian Armed Forces would go wherever invited and sent by legitimate political authority, the challenge, he said, was for Sierra Leonians to find an internal mechanism for sustaining peace in the long run. BACK TO BINTUMANI HOTEL After a long day in the humid African sunlight, we finally returned to Bintumani. On our way back I kept recalling the words of the amputee. I looked around at the faces of those on the streets, the cyclists, motorists and few street hawkers. I thought about the RUF, the Kamajors, West Side boys, AFRC-Koromah and all that. Then I looked at the faces of a few cab drivers. Could many of the newfound taxi drivers have been the very same characters that did some of the amputating? It was hard to know. Nevertheless, I shared some my thoughts with my well-informed chauffeur. He then broke into a deep reflection about the sacrifices Nigeria had made over the years, sacrifices many civilians back home were probably never told about. There was this one Nigerian officer, he recalled, who was beheaded by the RUF. His head was then impaled on a stick and used to dance around Freetown. Many other Nigerian soldiers suffered less gruesome fates but those that died are still as dead as death can ensure. Why, I thought to myself, was there no memorial in Nigeria to commemorate and memorialize Nigerian casualties in the ECOMOG/UNAMSIL Theater of operations? At the entrance to the Burma Camp in Accra, Ghana, for example, there is a simple "Peace-Keeping" memorial, a solemn wall with a list of names. Surely, a peacekeeping memorial monument in Nigeria is long overdue. This should be a matter of priority. AT KIMBIMA HOTEL We had originally planned for a late party at the NIGCON Commander's house. But it turned out that a more private pre-party/dinner was also planned at the Kimbima Hotel - perhaps the only major such facility in Freetown indigenously owned. This time I rode there, not in the Four Runner, but in a car with the acting Nigerian High Commissioner, Ambassador Yerima. I found him to be a pleasant soft-spoken diplomat who likes playing golf and extols the value of a reading culture. He reminded me of the first generation of Nigerian diplomats from the early sixties. The Hotel, which is actually just across from Bintumani, is an outstanding hotel beautifully built into the slanting terrain with an unrestricted Atlantic view. To this private party in the basement were invited the Nigerian CDS, General Ogomudia, the GOC 2nd Division, Major General Obiakor, Brigadiers-General Agu, Efeovbokhan and Bamalli, the acting Nigerian High Commissioner (Amb. Yerima) and my humble self. On the Sierra Leonian side the Deputy Minister for Defence (Amb Joe Blell), hosted us. In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff (Major General Sam Mboma ) and deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Brigadier Alfred Nelson-Williams). The Commander of the 5th Brigade, Colonel Komba Mondeh, later joined us. Then Lt. Col. Kombeh, like then Colonel Sam Mboma, attended Nigeria's Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna back in 1997. Both men rejected then AFRC Chairman Major John Koromah's May 1997 coup and defected to join forces with then-exiled President Kabbah in Guinea. Mondeh's background is particularly interesting. He has served as Defence Attache in Nigeria and, like Brigadier Alfred Nelson-Williams, attended the National War College, Abuja. According to my archives, back on January 16, 1996, Mondeh backed Brigadier Julius Maada Bio's palace coup against Captain Valentine Strasser, whose April 29, 1992 "young officers' putsch" against General Momoh he had originally supported. Indeed, first as a Lieutenant, then as a Captain, he was the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) Chief of Defence Staff/ Minister for Defence. A political survivor no doubt, I thought to myself. The food was excellent. The conversation was lively - as all those who were there can attest. Needless to say, there was camaderie at the highest levels of the Nigerian and Sierra Leonian Defence Establishments. This, in my view, confirms the wisdom of sharing military training opportunities with candidates from other countries. It is a powerful tool for Defence diplomacy. AT THE NIGCON COMMANDER'S HOUSE From Kimbima we proceeded to the NIGCON Commander's house where a fairly conventional party was in progress. By now I had developed some upper airway congestion – a testimony to my gruesome multi-connection flight schedule and jet lag. It was at the party that I was finally pinned down by Chris Agbambu, Defence Correspondent for the Daily Independent newspaper. Agbambu came along with the CDS from Nigeria and was billed to leave with him to Liberia the next day. But he had been stalking me for an interview since my arrival. He got his way - with good music in the background, a can of beer in hand. BACK TO BINTUMANI I left shortly thereafter and retired back to the Hotel to prepare for my return journey the next day. The NIGCON Commander, Brig-Gen Bamalli, was rounding off an interview in the lobby of the Hotel with some reporter and so, for the first time all day, we were completely alone. We chatted about sundry matters and then finalized arrangements for the helicopter ride back to Lungi in the morning. The official flight taking the CDS to Robertsville in Liberia was scheduled to depart several hours before my commercial Bellview Airlines connection to Lagos where I planned to transition directly to a KLM flight to Amsterdam and from there to Detroit and Charlotte in the US. However, it would be logistically convenient for me to take the UN chopper service ride along with the CDS so as to avoid trying to catch a Paramount Chopper shuttle later on. In other words, a bird in hand was worth two in the bush. While at Lungi awaiting the Bellview flight, I could hang out with the Ghanaian Battalion (Ghanbatt 9) that was responsible for the peninsula. Sounded good. AT LUNGI The next morning after breakfast, I joined the other members of the CDS delegation in the lobby. On hand to see us off was Brigadier Dumbuya. After exchanging pleasantries, we proceeded to the Mammy Yoko UNAMSIL Helipad, signed in, and then boarded a white Mil Mi-8 helicopter on which luggage had already been pre-loaded. Like paratroopers, we sat face to face on both sides with luggage secured in between along the aisle. Major Abiodun was seated next to me while Lt. Col. AB Abubakar was in front of me. On my left was the rear cargo door, padlocked. The CDS was next to the main door and Brig-Gen Bamalli was seated next to him. The other delegates were distributed in between. Now came the fun part. Because this was the helicopter's first flight of the day it required a long period of "engine warming." This experience was new. Until I realized that that was what was happening - assisted by a timely explanation provided by Group Captain Halliru - I kept wondering why the chopper would rev up its engines, pretend to want to lift up but then sit right there on the helipad. Was it overloaded, I wondered? I quietly began to make contingency arrangements to break out if necessary. I was certainly in no mood for an NAF 911 C-130 type mishap. So I surveyed the interior and made some measurements and calculations in my head. No axe was in sight, I noticed wryly. Brig-Gen Bamalli must have read my mind because he looked across from the other end and commented with a smile that I was checking out the aircraft. Just conducting a "History and Physical" I thought to myself. Meanwhile, the CDS maintained a calm exterior. Eventually the chopper lifted off and proceeded on the ten-minute ride to Lungi, shaking initially as it did so. I maintained a studied silence, earphones on hand. The exquisite natural beauty of the Freetown coastline declared itself to be beheld as it receded panoramically into the background. We later landed without incident. The Federal Government of Nigeria executive jet was already on ground. In the background I saw a vast outlay of buildings and tents - all UNAMSIL related. A major operation, I thought. General Ogomudia, Brig-Gen Bamalli and myself then proceeded to the GhanBatt 9 makeshift Officers Mess. Somewhere along the way the General spoke for many when he made a passing comment that that had been a "ride to Hell and back." Lt. Col. Yanyi Akofur, the tall and well turned out CO, received us at GhanBatt 9. We had some tea and chatted about various issues. A gift from GhanBatt 9 was presented to the CDS, which he reciprocated, delivering a short pep talk in the process. Eventually, it was time for the CDS to leave for Liberia by jet, and for the NIGCON/Sector West HQ group to return to Freetown by chopper. I had a few hours to wait for my flight, along with Major Abiodun who was there to ensure that there were no surprises. I chose to spend it all at GhanBatt 9. A number of officers came around and introduced themselves. My meeting with the 2ic, Major Twum Ampofo-Gyekye, was interesting. The unit itself is apparently an artillery/air defence unit back in Ghana, with some non-artillery elements in support. When I suggested, based on his lanyard and one or two other details, that he was an infantry officer he agreed, but then quickly added, with a note of mildly indignant emphasis, that he was "airborne." A fine young Major, I might add, he had undergone airborne training not only in Ghana but also at Fort Benning in the US and had a number of peace-keeping missions under his belt. That said I then met two female officers. One, Lt. (Ghana Navy) Veronica, was the Public Relations Officer while the other, Lt. Tina, was the Motor Transport Officer (MTO). I was quite intrigued by their accounts of gender integration in the Ghanaian military. I was particularly interested in how they were treated during military training. Had there been any gender favoritism? Absolutely none I was told. They had to conquer all the obstacles the men had to overcome. Indeed, Lt. Tina is fully airborne qualified. Lt. (GN) Veronica for her part actually belongs to a military family. Her spouse, an officer in the Army, who is currently back home in Ghana, is billed to leave shortly for another UN peace operation in Rwanda. During his sojourn to Rwanda and her sojourn to Sierra Leone, grandparents would keep their children. That little detail struck me as an illustration of the deep commitment of Ghana to UN peacekeeping operations. We had a long and engaging conversation across a range of issues, including not just the history of modern Ghana but also the ethnic linkages between the Ga of Ghana and certain Nigerian ethnic groups. It was remarkable to note that their perspectives on the situation in Sierra Leone now and in the future were identical to sentiments I had heard Nigerian soldiers express. That settled, we moved on to other things including their utter fascination with the Nigerian movie industry. Nigerian movies, I was told, sell like hot cake along the West African coast. The problem, though, is that pirating sucks the life out of otherwise potentially hefty profits. I then shared my recent experience in Ghana. When I landed at the Accra international airport on Thursday night, May 6, I noticed that the statue of the late Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka was missing. Kotoka was the officer who led the February 24, 1966 coup against then President Kwame Nkrumah ("Operation Cold Chop"). He was killed during an unsuccessful counter-coup on April 17, 1967 led by Lt. Moses Yeboah ("Operation Guitar-Boy"). It was then that the airport was named in his memory - not unlike how the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos was renamed in 1976. It would appear, however, that democratic-era moves are afoot in Ghana to change the name of the Kotoka airport. I drew a blank on this one, as neither officer, including one passer-by, was even aware that the statue had disappeared. I continued with my story. The next day, on Friday morning, May 7, while waiting for my Ghana airways flight that was delayed at Accra airport, I used the downtime to tour military training institutions at Teshie - where most of the first generation of Nigerian officers trained along the shores of the Ghanaian Atlantic coast in the fifties. The old Regular Officers Special Training School is, as one might imagine, no longer there. In its place lies the Ghana Military Academy (GMA), which is right next to the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College that in turn is right next to the Kofi Annan Center for Peace. Across the road from the GMA gate is an old shooting range, directly behind, which lays the open ocean. How was it assured that stray rounds would not harm fishermen and shippers out on the ocean, I asked? Special precautions were always made, and announcements are widely disseminated I was told. I was not totally re-assured. But I recalled that there was another little detail I found out about that old (but still functional) range while researching another story. On June 16, 1979 Generals Ignatius Acheampong, former Head of State, and E. K. Utuka, former Border Guards commander, were executed there. Ten days later, on June 26, Gen. Akwasi Afrifa, former Head of State, and Gen. Frederick Akuffo, another former Head of State, along with Major-General R. E. A. Kotei, Air Vice-Marshal George Bokaye, Rear Admiral Joy Amedumey and Colonel Roger Felli, were all also executed there by a firing squad. [Kofi A. Jackson: When gun rules : a soldier's testimony of the events leading up to June 4 uprising in Ghana and its aftermath. Accra : Woeli, 1999.] After watching a "Nigerian video" we settled down to lunch - a traditional Ghanaian dish called "Kokote" along with "groundnut soup" which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was not long, however, before it was time for me to take leave. The Bellview flight had arrived and it was time for me to begin my long voyage back to the US. As I studied the Boeing 737 aircraft I was due to board, I noticed that rather than “Bellview”, what was inscribed on the tail was “Bellview-Sl.” Apparently, I was made to understand, the constipated process of overcoming man-made regulatory hurdles in Nigeria to enable it ply the West African Coast route forced the airline to register as a separate entity in Sierra Leone – with all the financial implications. Hence the “SL.” Assisted by Major Abiodun, I boarded the aircraft, following a farewell exchange of pleasantries with Lt. Col. Akofur, only to discover that the Force Commander UNAMSIL, Major General Sajjad Akram, was also on the same flight to Lagos. A memorable trip indeed, I thought to myself as we lifted off into the African sky. CONCLUSION I say, without equivocation, that Nigerians can rest assured that the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces that have served in UNAMSIL have done so with exemplary professionalism. Further, I have no reason to doubt that those who have served in other peacekeeping missions have done just as well. Whatever observations I have made in the course of this essay - about spare parts, medical support, memorialization and political-diplomatic-economic follow up, not to mention a host of open policy questions - are only designed to enhance system performance by encouraging self examination. I was very proud of and impressed with what I saw on the ground and all the great men and women I met. In retrospect, however, as far as Sierra Leone policy is concerned, did Nigeria "carefully reposition itself in the right orbit within the universe of other interested parties (bilaterally and multilaterally)." as I had recommended in 1999? Did we and have we continued to "titrate our investments and risk-taking to the realities of our domestic situation and the current international environment?" We certainly returned, in the main, to internationally funded multilateral peacekeeping, rather than the "near unilateral peace enforcement" strategy of the Abacha era. In so doing did we lose anything? Did we gain anything? I leave that to the reader - and to posterity. APPENDIX To be continued |