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