As fighting rages in the north eastern part of Nigeria against Boko Haram,a new Regional Force comprising Chad,Cameroon,Niger and Nigeria will be formalized soon,after the United Nations Security Council meeting.
But the Force’s structure has been a source of backroom diplomacy with Chad and Cameroon insisting they will provide Force Commander and Deputy respectively.
“We have two commanders who are veterans of many campaigns against alqaeda and other islamist groups in Mali and Atlas region,one of them will head the force” a source in the Chadian Military High Command told Hamada Radio International
He requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the Press.However informed source told Hamada Radio that one of the commanders might be Mohamman Idris Derby ,a special force commander that trained and fought with French Forces in Mali.
The force which is initially expected to be 7500 strong will be increased to 15,000 gradually,it will be an expeditionary force that will be supported by France and to a lesser extent United States.The two countries will facilitate rapid deployments of Chadian mechanised Infantry fighting vehicles and men over large expanse of semi arid north eastern Nigeria.
“Our primary concern is to open a humanitarian corridor so that relief organisations will make refugees and supplies get to the needy as soon as possible.” the source said.
“The participating countries will have designated operational areas though there will be interface in Communication,Command and Control.We hope there will be unity of purpose between the Commanders of diffrent countries.The Cost of the operation will be borne first by the African Union before the United Nations takeover”, the report said.
Source:Hamada Radio International
