How Nigeria Spent $8bn to End Liberia’s Nightmare
Nigeria has played a vital role in restoring peace and stability in Liberia, a West African nation that suffered from a brutal civil war for more than a decade.
According to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Leo Irabor, Nigeria spent $8bn to support the regional intervention force that ended the conflict and paved the way for democratic transition.
Gen. Irabor made this revelation at the event to mark the 75th-year anniversary of the United Nations peacekeeping operations on Wednesday.
He said Nigeria had been a staunch supporter of the UN principles and objectives since 1960, when it deployed its first troops to Congo.
He said Nigeria had participated in 41 peacekeeping operations worldwide, with over 200,000 troops and senior military officers serving under the UN flag.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping missions in Africa, such as Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Mali, Darfur and Sierra Leone.
He said one of the most significant interventions was the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which was established to end the protracted Liberian civil war that claimed over 250,000 lives and displaced millions.
“It is noteworthy that in addition to the loss of lives and injuries to personnel, the ECOMOG, a regional interventionist mediation force advocated to end the protracted Liberian civil war, was operated at an estimated cost of USD 8 billion to the Nigerian government,” he said.
He said Nigeria’s involvement in ECOMOG was crucial in facilitating the disarmament of warring factions, the holding of free and fair elections, and the inauguration of a democratically elected government in Liberia.
He said Nigeria also provided the backbone of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which was deployed in 2003 to consolidate peace and security in the country.
He said Nigeria’s troops provided security for key government installations, VIPs and communities, as well as engaged in community outreach programmes such as medical assistance, vocational training and school construction.
He said Nigeria’s active participation in peacekeeping missions had helped save countless lives and promote peace and development across the world.
He said despite the security challenges facing Nigeria due to the activities of non-state actors and criminal elements, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Police had continued to contribute troops to sustain the country’s commitment to the UN.
Also speaking at the event, Gen Martin Luther Agwai, who was the special guest of honour, noted that the UN Peacekeeping had been a unique and dynamic instrument to help countries in conflict transition to lasting peace. He said more than two million uniformed and civilian personnel had contributed to the global effort to secure peace and progress since 1948.
“As we celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on the past and look to the future. We must work together to enhance our collective efforts towards global peace and security,” he said.
On his part, the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, paid tribute to those who lost their lives while securing peace across the globe.
In his message to the occasion, he said: “In carrying out this essential work, many peacemakers have paid the ultimate price. More than 4,200 peacemakers have lost their lives serving under the UN flag.
“We stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families, friends and colleagues, and will forever be inspired by their selfless devotion to the cause of peace.”
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