NIGERIA: ROE FOR NIGERIAN FORCES IN COTE D'IVOIRE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002763 SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2012 TAGS: MOPS MASS NI IV SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ROE FOR NIGERIAN FORCES IN COTE D'IVOIRE Classified by DCM Andrews for reasons 1.5 (a),(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) DCM and POL/MILOFF met with the Minister of State for Defense (Army) Malam Lawal Batagarawa morning of September 27 to discuss ROE for NAF units in Cote d'Ivoire. Batagarawa seemed taken by surprise when told of the deployment of three NAF Alpha Jets, two MI-35 attack helicopters, weaponry and support personnel to Abidjan. DCM told Batagarawa that NSA Aliyu Mohammed had informed him of the deployment on 25 September. Batagarawa then said that the MI-35s would assist with evacuation efforts and that the Alpha Jets were there to provide air cover for them. He then said that the ROE directed NAF forces to act only in self-defense and to take no other action without specific authorization from the NCA in Abuja. ¶2. (C/NF) DATT sources at the MOD, Defense Headquarters, Nigerian DIA and NAF indicate that the orders to deploy the NAF to Cote d'Ivoire did not pass through Defense Headquarters, but went straight to the NAF from the Presidency. These sources were unaware of the issuance of any specific ROE. Their orders directed the NAF to deploy to Cote d'Ivoire with a mission to provide close air support to the GOCI forces in their operations against the rebels. These sources indicated NAF assets in Cote d'Ivoire were directed to take their orders from the GOCI and that the GOCI was responsible for coordinating operations with any other country. ¶3. (C/NF) NOTE: DATT believes it is possible that verbal instructions may have been given to the NAF commander to check with the GON before taking any action, and that the various military headquarters were left out of the loop. END NOTE. JETER