Nigeria dismisses foreign mercenaries, opts for military collaboration with China
Nigeria has once again rejected calls to contract foreign mercenaries to fight insecurity in the country, saying it would rather partner with countries like China in domesticating the production of military equipment to address the threats to peace and security.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, disclosed this on Thursday, during a joint press briefing with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, at the presidential Villa, Abuja.
Wang Yi, who arrived in Abuja on Wednesday, for an official visit to the country, met with President Tinubu on Thursday, at the Presidential Villa, to deliver a special message from the Chinese President.
Tuggar said the discussion with President Tinubu centred on mutual interest, economic, and political interests, and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that were signed in numerous areas, energy, communications, agriculture, finance, transportation, infrastructure and petrochemicals when the Nigerian leader visited China last year.
Speaking at the joint press briefing, Tuggar said, “Nigeria has consistently proved effective in leading other countries in our region, and I would even say, on the continent at large, in addressing challenges to peace and security, and we do this whenever we partner with other countries and have their support, including major powers that are outside of our region, outside of Africa, and we appreciate that sort of approach.
“And this is why we work well with countries like China. Where we have a problem is whenever Nigeria is left out of such arrangements, it becomes more challenging. And it’s not just a one-off thing. it’s not a fluke. It is because of Nigeria’s place and position on the continent and in our region, and that’s why we take a firm stand and say, let us work together towards solving our problems by ourselves. Let us shun this idea of allowing others to come in to solve our problems for us.
“So private military companies, as far as we are concerned, it doesn’t matter whether they’re from north, south, east, west. We don’t think it is going to provide the panacea. But when you work with us, then we’re able to lead others in solving the problem.
“And also, we want to work with countries like China in domestic production of military equipment, both kinetic and non-kinetic. This is what we’re looking for so that we don’t have to go out looking to procure because of the delays and so many rules and regulations, we need to be able to produce locally.
“Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the Constitution, and that’s why, we’ve never had any expansionist tendencies, which is why others reposed so much confidence in us and in our leadership. And we will continue to work with countries such as China in addressing these challenges and rely on countries such as China, also, to work with us towards ensuring that private military companies outside interference remain outside.”
On his part, Wang Yi said the strategic planning of President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu, China-Nigeria relations have achieved three major outcomes.
“First, we have achieved a new leap in the characterisation of our relations. Our two Presidents jointly announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Second, we have worked together to establish a new platform. The first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Committee between China and Nigeria has been successfully held, contributing to the elevation in the quality of our cooperation.
“Third, our cooperation in the international arena has reached new heights. Our two sides have coordinated closely in international and regional affairs and worked together for the collective rise, development and vitalisation of the Global South.
“Over more than half a century since the establishment of diplomatic ties, no matter how changes occur in the international landscape, China and Nigeria have always in the spirit of mutual respect and equality, deepened our friendship and pursued practical cooperation, setting a fine example of South-South cooperation, and an important exemplar of China Africa cooperation.
“I believe that through the joint efforts of the two sides, the China-Nigeria, comprehensive strategic partnership will surely embrace an even brighter tomorrow.
“As with regard to Nigeria’s wish to increase the line of the currency swap we will favourably study and consider the issue, our cooperation is going well in many ways, in terms of finance.
“For instance, we welcome the panda bonds to be issued. We welcome Nigeria to issue panda bonds in China because we have full confidence in Nigeria’s credibility. By issuing panda bonds, Nigeria will gain good revenue and safety is guaranteed through financial support, we are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, particularly the railway.
“Just a few days ago, Chinese banks supported, through financial funds, the building of phase three of the railway modernisation project, and it has been delivered. So many details are taking place between our cooperation.
“We all have the issue on the top of all of our minds. In the world today, only through global solidarity can we together respond to the various security challenges.
“At the FOCAC in Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced six propositions and 10 partnership actions for China and Africa to jointly advance modernisation and peace and security are an important part of it.
“China would like to work with Africa to deliver on the global security initiative in Africa and together achieve a modernisation featuring peace and security and build an all-weather, China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
“China will firmly support Africans in addressing African issues in the African way. African people are the real masters of this continent. They have every wisdom, capability and right to resolve their own issues.
“China opposes foreign interference in the internal affairs of African countries. Firmly supports the African Union and the sub-regional organisations in playing a constructive role, supports major African countries in strengthening their leading positions and promotes the resolution of disagreements and disputes through dialogue and consultation and the settlement of hotspot issues through the political way.
“China will firmly support Africa in strengthening peace and security capacity building. We will work with Africa to establish a partnership for implementing the Global Security Initiative, or GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation.
“We will work to advance the partnership action for common security and provide 1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance to Africa and help train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement personnel for African countries.
“China will also continue to support the building of the African standby force and the rapid response forces and support African countries in carrying out counter-terrorism peacekeeping operations. China will firmly support Africa in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, practising true multilateralism and not letting power politics and bullyism find their place in Africa.
“At the United Nations Security Council, China’s vote will always go to Africa, and we will continue to speak up for the legitimate voice of African countries in the multilateral arena. As the second largest contributor to peacekeeping operations, China will continue to support the United Nations in carrying out peacekeeping operations in Africa.
“China supports Nigeria in rallying countries in the region to achieve strength through unity, to build synergy through reconciliation, and to promote security through cooperation, in order to achieve peace and stability in the region, and China, would like to make its contribution to the best of its ability to that end”, he said.
