NIGERIA'S ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: MILITARY WILL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002258 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA; E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL MCAP PINR PTER NI GV SUBJECT: NIGERIA'S ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: MILITARY WILL RESPECT CONSTITUTION Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty for reasons in sections 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Nigeria's Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau told Ambassador December 11 that "history has shown that the military has not served the country well in efforts to put it on the right democratic path." Therefore, according to him, the military should stay above the political fray; the "last thing Nigeria needs is a (Guinean junta leader) Camara" situation. Dambazau predicted the Nigerian Government (GON) would continue to function without President Yar'Adua, despite Yar'Adua's ill health. He received a briefing on Guinea from Chief of Defense Staff Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike that left him worried that a civil war in Guinea was possible. Dambazau appreciated U.S. counter-terrorism (CT) training and agreed to a visit by the U.S. Army Africa Commander in January. The Army also requested military vehicles and equipment for its new CT unit in Makurdi, Benue State. END SUMMARY. -------------- MILITARY TO STAY ABOVE THE POLITICAL FRAY -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador asked Nigerian Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Dambazau during a one-on-one courtesy call on December 11 about the current political uncertainty in the country and whether he had any worries about the military stepping into power. Dambazau replied that he was aware that the political environment was of concern to many of Nigeria's friends, but that Nigerians tended to be "noisy and shrill" with key "political spoilers" trying to fuel instability in the country. He added that Nigeria is a young democracy, and history has shown that the military has not served the country well in efforts to put it on the right democratic path. Therefore, it is key that the military stay above the political fray, he continued, noting that he was not worried at this time about any rumblings within the ranks about the political system. Dambazau emphasized that over the last 10 years Nigeria's military has "professionalized more," so that its leaders now have an appreciation for civilian leadership of the nation. -------------- LAST THING NIGERIA NEEDS IS A DADIS CAMARA -------------- ¶3. (C) In response to a question as to how he was ensuring that none of the ranks was planning anything untoward, the COAS emphasized that he has a continual outreach program with his troops on the importance of civilian rule and upholding the Constitution. Referring to Guinean junta leader Dadis Camara, he said the last thing Nigeria needs is "a budding Camara in our barracks." Thus, Dambazau added, he and the military leadership talk to the troops all the time, especially given that many of them are not well educated and need to understand the importance of their role in a democracy. Right now, "there are no problems in the barracks," he emphasized, noting that this was an issue that he and his generals closely watched. -------------- - GON WILL CONTINUE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT YAR'ADUA -------------- - ¶4. (C) On the President's health, Dambazau emphasized that Q4. (C) On the President's health, Dambazau emphasized that certain politicians are taking advantage of Yar'Adua's ill health. Without naming names, he stressed that these "spoilers" were irresponsible and should recognize that the government can still function day-to-day without the President in the country. They are just "using the situation" to build their political base, which he described as "unfortunate." -------------- - DAMBAZAU FORESEES POSSIBLE CIVIL WAR IN GUINEA -------------- - ¶5. (C) On Guinea, Dambazau said he was worried that Guinea was going to deteriorate into a "real civil war situation," ABUJA 00002258 002 OF 002 based on the brief he received recently from current Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshall Paul Dike. He said that Dike expressed serious concerns about the ability of Camara to listen to anyone about anything. According to Dike, "Camara believes he knows what is best for Guinea;" so, he said, Camara is unlikely to listen to anyone else or take suggestions about the transitional process or the future of the country. -------------- - NIGERIA SEEKS INCREASED MIL-TO-MIL COOPERATION -------------- - ¶6. (C) Following a one-on-one private meeting, the Ambassador and Army Staff Chief Lieutenant General AB Dambazau convened a courtesy call by EmbOffs with Dambazau's senior staff. Dambazau thanked the U.S. for its "very long relationship" with the Nigerian military. He noted that his first overseas training occurred at Fort McLevin in the U.S. in 1979 while he was still just a first lieutenant. He joked that he had even attended Kent State University in Ohio at the same time the Ambassador attended Ohio University. Describing terrorism as a borderless global threat, Dambazau expressed an interest in enhancing the Army's counter-terrorism capability. He welcomed a stronger relationship with the U.S. military, agreed to a visit by the U.S. Army Africa Commander in January 2010, and praised the U.S. offer of assistance in building a military standby force capability within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). -------------- MILITARY STANDS UP NEW COUNTER-TERRORISM UNIT -------------- ¶7. (C) Following Dambazau's remarks, Army Training and Operations Chief Major General Obi spoke about the specific types of training being given to the newly formed Nigerian CT unit through the U.S.-sponsored Joint Combined Exercise Training (JCET). He stated that the training thus far has been basic, focusing on shooting and small level maneuvers. The Army believes that it is now time to move to more advanced and specialized training such as airborne hijacking, bomb search and disposal, high-level terrorism tactics, amphibious operations, and search and rescue. He emphasized water skills training. He noted that Army Headquarters had recently designated a garrison location for the new CT unit in Makurdi, Benue State. He thanked the U.S. for providing the third JCET course in Jaji this December and looked forward to receiving promised vehicles and equipment for the CT unit. Obi confirmed that Nigeria would participate in the Mali-based Flintlock joint military exercise in April and a bilateral exercise in conjunction with APS in March 2010. According to Obi, insufficient lift capacity and riverine vessels remained critical weaknesses within the Nigerian armed forces. ¶8. (U) Others attending the meeting with the Ambassador, Lieutenant General Dambazau, and Major General Obi included the DATT, OSC Chief, PolMilOff, Nigerian Army Administrative Chief Major General Jibril, Army Logistics Chief Major General Usman, Army Standards and Evaluation Chief Major General Azurunwa, Army Finance and Accounts Corps Commander Major General Airhiavbere, Director of Military Intelligence Major General Umaru, and Defense Intelligence Agency Navy QMajor General Umaru, and Defense Intelligence Agency Navy Captain Jayeola. SANDERS