The Nation Newspaper

Tag: threats

  • Terror threats not over in Mali, West Africa, says U.S. envoy

    Terror threats not over in Mali, West Africa, says U.S. envoy

    FRENCH forces may have dislodged terrorists from their enclaves in Mali, but the presence of extremists’ groups in the troubled West African nation is still a threat, the United States (U.S.) warned yesterday.

    “The U.S. remain concerned about the continued presence of terrorist and extremists’ groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),” a high-ranking State Department official, Johnnie Carson told Congress yesterday.

    “Neutralising the full scope of the terrorist threat in Mali … is a long-term effort.” Carson, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, told a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    French troops entered Mali on January 11 in an effort to flush out Islamist rebels who had seized control of a vast stretch of territory after the nation’s government fell in a military coup last year.

    Recent weeks have also witnessed a movement of African Union (AU) peacekeeping forces into Mali to bolster the French operation.

    While the U.S. assisted the French invasion by airlifting equipment and troops and sharing intelligence, Mr. Carson stressed that Washington must be prepared to focus attention and resources toward the long-term effort of helping Mali prop up a sustainable government.

    “The gains achieved by French and African forces on the battlefield in Northern Mali will be short-lived if not accompanied by elections, strengthened institutions and national reconciliation to restore Mali’s tradition of democratic governance.” Carson said in prepared remarks submitted to the House panel.

    The envoy said any military success in Mali will be “fleeting” without a democratic government that responds to the needs of all Malians.

    He pledged the U.S. preparedness to assist with rebuilding Mali’s long-term stability.

    Carson said: “We will continue to work to ensure that military success can be translated into long-term political stability by encouraging expedited elections, marginalising the military junta, holding accountable all perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations, including those who are in the Malian army, and supporting a national reconciliation process that addresses the longstanding and legitimate grievances of northern populations, including those of the Tuareg.”

    Updating the lawmakers on the U.S. support mission in Mali, Carson said: “As of Wednesday, the U.S. had carried out 22 refueling missions to support French forces fighting Islamist militants.”

    He told the Committee that the U.S. Air Force had flown 43 C-17 sorties to transport French and Chadian personnel as well as supplies and equipment.

    Also yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry hailed the “Successful” intervention by France to dislodge Islamic rebels.

    He urged Malian leaders to hold elections.

    Kerry, who was speaking ahead of scheduled talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, said Mali would be one of the issues on the agenda.

    “We urge the government to continue the political transition process towards elections and to step up negotiations with non-extremist groups in the North,” he said.

  • Embattled Kogi lawmakers relocate over threats

    Impeached Kogi State House of Assembly Speaker Abudullahi Bello, his 12 allies and their families have relocated from Lokoja, the state capital, following alleged threats, it has been learnt.

    The Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Information of the Group of 13, Salihu Akawu Shaidu, yesterday addressed reporters in Abuja on the development.

    The news briefing was attended by the 13 pro-Bello members.

    Shaidu accused the Group of 12 and pro-government lawmakers of flouting the “enrolled order” of the House of Representatives’ Ad-Hoc Committee on the crisis, which led to the closure of the Assembly.

    He said the “12 dissident legislators” continued sitting despite the directives of the House of Representatives’ Committee to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) stopping legislative activities at the Assembly.

    Shaidu said: “The security of our lives and that of our families are continuously threatened. Most of us have relocated with our families from Lokoja for our safety. Unknown gunmen have threatened our members and their families in Lokoja.”

    The lawmaker explained that Nigerians do not need a mathematician to interpret the provisions of Section 92 (2)(C) of the 1999 Constitution to know that it requires two-third members of any Assembly to legally remove a Speaker or a governor.

    He said: “The invisible so-called 17 signatures can neither be presented physically till this moment, as claimed by the 12 dissident legislators.”

    Shaidu said the briefing was to put the records straight and draw the attention of Nigerians to the “latest assault and intimidation” on the 13 members of the Assembly who respected the rule of law.

    He added: “While we, the 13 members (Speaker’s group) obeyed and continued to abide by this enrolled order of the House of Representatives that shut down the Assembly, the dissident group fragrantly disobeyed and continued its illegal and unconstitutional sittings.”

    “As I am talking to you today (Tuesday), the 12 dissidents held their illegal sitting in Lokoja to consider two Executive Bills announced during the illegal sitting. That was in total disregard to the House of Representatives’ order.”

    The Kogi lawmaker said five members of the Assembly were suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for refusing to sign the impeachment notice against Bello.

    He regretted that the Group of 12, at its “illegal sittings” allegedly declared vacant the seat of two pro-Bello lawmakers in the Assembly against the spirit the Constitution.

    Shaidu said: “For example, Henry Ojuola and Michael Folunsho Daniel’s seats have been illegally declared vacant by the 12 lawmakers.”

    The lawmaker urged President Goodluck Jonathan and well-meaning Nigerians to call Governor Idris Wada to order and ensure that the rule of law prevails in Kogi State.

    “We want to alert Mr President that our lives are no longer safe in Kogi State. We also call on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the SSS to ensure our security and the safety of our families.

    “Kogi is becoming a banana republic, where respect for the rule of law, separation of powers and lack of respect for the Constitution are becoming the order of the day.”