Nigerian troops storm Sudan

The Nigerian Army has announced the deployment of 171 troops to Sudan.

They are to protect Abyei, a disputed border region between South Sudan and Sudan, as part of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission.

The Chief of Army Operations, Maj.-Gen. Boniface Sinjen, disclosed this during the graduation ceremony of the Nigerian Contingent 3 for the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in Jaji, Kaduna.

Sinjen, who served as the special guest of honour, underscored the importance of the mission, describing UN peacekeeping operations as not just military endeavors but also diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

He highlighted Nigeria’s longstanding role in global peacekeeping, with its troops having contributed to stability in conflict zones across Africa and beyond.

He noted that the security situation in Abyei remains volatile, marked by intercommunal clashes, armed skirmishes, and humanitarian challenges.

Emphasizing discipline, impartiality, and respect for human rights, Sinjen urged the troops to uphold the highest standards of conduct, particularly regarding Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), warning that the UN maintains a zero-tolerance policy.

Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, stated that the graduating troops had undergone rigorous training since February 13, including medical screening, combat readiness, and specialized instruction on UN peacekeeping principles, rules of engagement, and conflict-related laws.

The training also included specialized sessions for medical personnel and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle crews, conducted in collaboration with the German Training Advisory Group and the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI).

Adedoja noted that MLAILPKC has trained over 100,000 peacekeepers who have served in missions across Liberia, Darfur, Sierra Leone, and other conflict zones.

He expressed confidence that the new contingent would uphold Nigeria’s legacy of excellence in peacekeeping.

The deployment reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to international peace and security.

The troops are expected to contribute to stability in Abyei while adhering to the UN’s mandate.

Maj.-Gen. Sinjen commended the MLAILPKC training team and thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his leadership in enhancing Nigeria’s peacekeeping capabilities.

An agelong problem

Abyei was a key battleground during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The oil-rich region is home to the Ngok Dinka people, who are aligned with the South Sudanese government, and the Misseriya people, who are nomadic cattle herders aligned with the Sudanese government.

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed, which included the Abyei Protocol.

The protocol established Abyei as a special administrative area, with its own administration and security arrangements.

However, the protocol did not clearly define the region’s borders or resolve the issue of ownership.

Despite the Abyei Protocol, tensions between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya people have remained high.

In 2011, violence broke out in Abyei, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people.

The African Union (AU) intervened, establishing the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to mediate the dispute.

The dispute remains unresolved, with both Sudan and South Sudan claiming ownership of the region.

The AUHIP has proposed various solutions, including a referendum on the region’s future, but these have been rejected by both sides.

In 2020, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until May 2023.

The UNSC also called on both parties to resume negotiations and find a peaceful solution to the dispute.

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