NIGERIA REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FOR DARFUR DEPLOYMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001260

SIPDIS

AF/RSA FOR BITTRICK AND KENNY
AF/W FOR EPSTEIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2014
TAGS: PREL MASS MOPS PHUM SU NI DARFUR
SUBJECT: NIGERIA REQUESTS ASSISTANCE FOR DARFUR DEPLOYMENT

REF: ABUJA 2818

Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR RUSSELL J. HANKS FOR 1.5 (B)
AND (D).


1. (C) 19 July, Embassy received a faxed copy of a letter
dated 14 July from Chief of Army Staff LTG Martin-Luther
Agwai requesting U.S. assistance for Nigeria's deployment of
a company-sized unit to Darfur to act as a protection force
for international monitors.


2. (C) The 170-man company is currently quartered in Abuja
while its heavy equipment is located in Lagos. The Nigerian
Army has indicated that the troops and equipment will be
airlifted to Darfur separately, however, it is still unclear
whether the Nigerian Air Force will be able to support the
movement with its own C-130s or if it will require assistance
from the U.S. or another donor. We have not received a
specific request for air lift support.


3. (C) We have received specific requests for the following:

- 6 months worth of field rations and/or fresh supplies

- Fully equipped Level 1 Field Hospital

- Petroleum oil and lubricants required to run combat
and logistics equipment during the period of deployment

- Hand held radios

- GPS

- VSAT internet connectivity

- Image intensification goggles (COMMENT: possibly
infrared. We will seek clarification. COMMENT.)

- Image intensification binoculars

- Night vision goggles


4. (C) COMMENT: While the GON has not made an official
request for air lift support, we believe such a request is
likely in the future. The Nigerian Air Force's two
operational C-130s may be adequate to move 170 soldiers from
Abuja, however, it is unlikely they would be able to handle
the transportation of the unit's heavy equipment (including
APCs) from Lagos.


5. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: Other critical questions remain:

(C) When will the deployment begin?

(C) How will the Nigerian unit fit into the command structure
of the African Union mission?

(C) Will the unit deploy directly to Sudan or to Chad?

(C) If air lift support is required, will it be USAF or
contractor?

(C) Will DOD provide an assessment team to help verify
training status and equipment requirements for deploying unit.

(C) How much support is available from other donors (EU et
cetera)?

(C) How much is the USG willing to contribute?

END COMMENT.
CAMPBELL