jakeporeshenko:

Agbada wearing scoundrels

Knowing the self centered nature of our political class, nothing would be done about the gaps in our military (ability to wage conventional war against another state)
Unless it affects them directly and threatens their credibility/popularity, unfortunately there’s only one such situation...

I just wish we had ex-officers of good repute sitting at NASS. But alas, it could be more harm than good

How an Ethiopia-backed port is changing power dynamics in the Horn of Africa

When Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Ethiopia became landlocked and therefore dependent on its neighbours – especially Djibouti – for access to international markets. This dependency has hampered Ethiopia’s aspiration to emerge as the uncontested regional power in the Horn of Africa.

Recently, however, the ground has been shifting. As we point out in a recent article, Ethiopia has attempted to take advantage of the recent involvement of various Arab Gulf States in the Horn of Africa’s coastal zone to reduce its dependency on Djibouti’s port. The port currently accounts for 95% of Ethiopia’s imports and exports. It has done so by actively trying to interest partners in the refurbishment and development of other ports in the region: Port Sudan in Sudan, Berbera in the Somaliland region of Somalia, and Mombasa in Kenya.

But it is Berbera, in particular, that will prove the most radical in terms of challenging regional power dynamics as well as international law. This is because a port deal involving Somaliland will challenge Djibouti’s virtual monopoly over maritime trade. In addition, it may entrench the de-facto Balkanization of Somalia and increase the prospects of Ethiopia becoming the regional hegemon.

Ethiopia’s regional policy
Ethiopia’s interest in Berbera certainly makes sense from a strategic perspective. It is closest to Ethiopia and will connect the eastern, primarily Somali region of Ethiopia to Addis Ababa. It will also provide a much needed outlet for trade, particularly the export of livestock and agriculture.

The development and expansion of the port at Berbera supports two primary pillars of Ethiopia’s regional policy. The first is maintaining Eritrea’s isolation. The aim would be to weaken it to the point that it implodes and is formally reunited to Ethiopia. Or it becomes a pliant, client state.

The second pillar rests on maintaining the status quo in post-civil war Somalia. Simply put, a weak and fractured Somalia enables Ethiopia to focus on quelling persistent internal security difficulties. It also keeps up pressure on Eritrea.

Ethiopia’s ambitions for Berbera have been hampered by two problems. Firstly the Republic of Somaliland – a de-facto independent state since 1991 – still isn’t recognised internationally. This makes engagement a political and legal headache. Secondly, Ethiopia, doesn’t have the critical resources needed to invest and build a port.

Ethiopia had been trying to get Abu Dhabi and Dubai interested in the Berbera Port for years. It’s latest push was assisted by a number of factors. These included a shift in the UAE’s military focus in Yemen and Ethiopian assurances of more trade and some financing to upgrade the port.

Ethiopia’s diplomatic push – which coincided with developments across the Gulf of Aden – finally got it the result it craved. In May 2016, DP World, a global mega-ports operator, signed an agreement to develop and manage Berbera Port for 30 years.

The Berbera Port deal
It is unlikely that DP World would have signed the deal if it didn’t see some long-term commercial benefit. The deal also includes economic, military and political dimensions.

Economically, for example, there will be investments in Somaliland’s fisheries, transportation and hospitality industry. The UAE will also establish a military installation in Berbera. The base is intended to help the UAE tighten its blockade against Yemen and stop weapons being smuggled from Iran.

Politically, the Berbera Port deal has provoked mixed reactions in Somaliland. There has been some popular anger aimed at Somaliland’s former president, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud aka “Silanyo”, and his family who reportedly benefited personally from it. Anger also stems from inter-clan and sub-clan rivalry over land, particularly in the Berbera area.

But the anger in Somaliland pales in comparison to the reaction in Mogadishu. This is because the Somaliland government has remained largely isolated internationally – until the port deal.

Somalia Federal Government ministers have publicly challenged the right of Somaliland to enter into official agreements with any country. The Ethiopian-driven deal means that Mogadishu’s claims over the breakaway territory have weakened substantially. The deal means that Somaliland has partially broken the glass ceiling of international recognition by entering into substantive deals with viable business partners and states operating on the global stage. Mogadishu can no longer pretend it controls the government in Somaliland’s capital Hargeisa.

Ethiopia’s wins
The bottom line is that Ethiopia has engineered access to another port and enhanced its security and strategic economic interests. With the growth in annual volumes of transit cargo, Ethiopia has, for a long time, needed alternative routes from Djibouti.

In addition, Ethiopia has ensured its presence in the running of the port by acquiring a 19% share in the deal.

And by wangling a legally binding agreement between Somaliland and another state, Ethiopia has potentially paved the way for eventual international recognition of Hargeisa.

Ethiopia has also further cemented its hold over Somaliland through a combination of pressure and material incentives. By bringing significant outside investment and recognition, Ethiopia can also increasingly meddle in its internal affairs. This is a conundrum for Hargeisa. It finds itself increasingly emboldened to act independently. Yet it remains constrained by the need to get Addis Ababa’s approval.

As Ethiopia begins to move increasing amounts of goods and services on Somaliland’s new highway to the refurbished port of Berbera, Hargeisa may begin to question key aspects of the port deal.

But one aspect will not be in question: Ethiopia’s rising power and influence over the entire region.

LINK http://theconversation.com/how-an-ethiopia-backed-port-is-changing-power-dynamics-in-the-horn-of-africa-93308

Odunayaw:
I just wish we had ex-officers of good repute sitting at NASS. But alas, it could be more harm than good

Almost half of them are ex Military, same with the governors and the President which we all know.

I learnt that Ghanian government plan to give land to United States to establish AFRICOM in Ghana.

The other day Akufo Addo was talking tough against the West and their imperialism... And just today he is giving them land for Military take over.

Nonsense ! F*cking sellout !

LTGEN:

Jakeporshenko:
Ignore.When it comes to Nigeria
Frumentius has all the answers.
He believes nothing good can come out of
Anything called American / Nigerian collaboration.
He has been consistent from day one.
Unfortunately for him the Americans don't seem to agree with his narrative.
Despite the fact this exercise has been going on now to test the capabilities of Countries that cover almost1/4 the continent of Africa' s marine mass it( The exercise to him) is just ticking boxes.
Very soon he will tell us how he ran the entire exercise check the dumb Nigerian barely could get their ships in line.
This is the reality:
The operation involved 4x Ships from Nigeria.
It will test their capabilities with their African counterparts.The usefulness of this was demonstrated when a pirate attack occurred from Angola to Lagos with each Coastal Nation handing off Years ago.

jpphilips:


The villagers have expressed their joy, common sense have solved where the joy is directed to.
Other intelligent news sources have confirmed that. Sahara reporters is free to throw around their assumptions, sane people careless.

This has got nothing to do with sahara reporters abeg. As a sane rational dude, the same kidnapper cannot return my abducted child and then expect me to jubilate and felicitate with him like he's doing me some favour after causing the whole trouble in the first place.He's even giving me advice that I shouldn't send my kid to school again..ooh how lovely, he really cares more about my kid than me . If you cannot see the demented psyche expressed there then we will just be going round in circles. Villagers taking selfies with the terrorists and you are here talking SaharaReporters smh

#CION

Odunayaw:
I just wish we had ex-officers of good repute sitting at NASS. But alas, it could be more harm than good

Smh at NASS ?? We have an ex-officer as our commander in chief, OBJ was also an ex officer, did more harm than good for the military, in fact at a point it was soo bad that UN told us to go home asin “we no do again”

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE AIRLIFTS DAPCHI GIRLS BACK TO MAIDUGURI

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 Hercules Aircraft today, 25 March 2018, airlifted the Dapchi girls back to Maiduguri from where they would be transported to Dapchi, under armed air escort, to reunite with their families. The return of the girls to their community took place after President Muhammadu Buhari and other top Government officials had received them at the Government House in Abuja on 23 March 2018. All the girls, including a boy and 3 teachers from the girls’ school were seen boarding the aircraft.

It would be recalled that after their release by the Boko Haram Terrorists on Wednesday, 21 March 2018, personnel of the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE as well as other officers of the Theatre Command received the girls at the NAF Base Maiduguri. At the NAF Base, personnel of the Air Task Force were already waiting to give refreshments to the girls. After the refreshments, the girls were airlifted aboard a NAF C-130 Hercules Aircraft to Abuja, where senior Government officials received them.

OLATOKUNBO ADESANYA
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

bidexiii:
#CION

MNJTF joint opps, look at that BIR hard hitter

abiodunalasa:
I learnt that Ghanian government plan to give land to United States to establish AFRICOM in Ghana.

The other day Akufo Addo was talking tough against the West and their imperialism... And just today he is giving them land for Military take over.

Nonsense ! F*cking sellout !

i doubt we will see AFRICOM headquater and time soon in any africa,considering (1)we aren't much in US Top list of priorities (2).US lacks the funds considering recent budget cuts and growing needs (3). it does want to create divisions among africa state,if one is chosen to host the headquarter (4). also the US southern command headquarter is actually located in florida,US and not in any Latin or southern American country.so there is no need for them to move their headquarter to africa

NAF regiment, looks like an air assault mission waiting to heppen

newafricaken254:
i doubt we will see AFRICOM headquater and time soon in any africa,considering (1)we aren't much in US Top list of priorities (2).US lacks the funds considering recent budget cuts and growing needs (3). it does want to create divisions among africa state,if one is chosen to host the headquarter (4). also the US southern command headquarter is actually located in florida,US and not in any Latin or southern American country.so there is no need for them to move their headquarter to africa

Headquarter ?
Seriously ?
Wait help me rap my head around this sh*t... Is Ghana giving them land for AFRICOM HQ or giving them land for just another SOCOM like that one in Chad and Djibouti ?

Odunayaw:
I just wish we had ex-officers of good repute sitting at NASS. But alas, it could be more harm than good

there are ex officers Sen ogbeiha , Mark and Alimikhena are ex Army officers even Jonah jang is an ex Air commodore. some of the have wards who are officers.

giles14:
when was dis pix taken

Early this year I think, she’s not active on social media.

jakeporeshenko:

Early this year I think, she’s not active on social media.

She is, check Twitter twitter

Josfactz:

She is, check Twitter twitter

Where do you think I found that pic ? she’s not very active, I have her Twitter, insta and Facebook

Sudan soldiers

Sizzorkay:
That's a pretty sad way of thinking, if you did at all.

how much is borno,Adamawa,yobe,gombe and taraba contributing? What's even there internally generated revenue?

They don't contribute anything yet,we are wasting money fighting the nonsense that was start by them.they don't deserve any federal allocation in borno,yobe and adamawa.

Omololu2121:
mumu which useless attention I'm I looking for [/b]Keep showing useless pic of Nigeria military personnel that take to their heels once they see boko haram[b].

uganda air force SU-30MK2

abiodunalasa:


Headquarter ?
Seriously ?
Wait help me rap my head around this sh*t... Is Ghana giving them land for AFRICOM HQ or giving them land for just another SOCOM like that one in Chad and Djibouti ?

I believe they are just looking to temporarily use Ghanaian facilities,when ever US troops and contractors are in Ghana to train Ghanaian military personnel as stated by Ghana minister of defence

newafricaken254:
I believe they are just looking to temporarily use Ghanaian facilities,when ever US troops and contractors are in Ghana to train Ghanaian military personnel as stated by Ghana minister of defence

Ok I grab it now.

Head of Civilian joint task force monitoring activities of the task force in the font line.

PRESS RELEASE

RE: SERGEANT DAVID BAKO DESERTS NIGERIAN ARMY, LEAKS HOW DAPCHI GIRLS ABDUCTION WAS PLANNED IN THE VILLA AND EXECUTED WITH N80 MILLION

1. The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a news report making round on Facebook and other social media to smear and drag the Nigerian Army into politics of calumny by mischief makers, that one deserted Sergeant David Bako leaks how Dapchi Girls abduction was planned in the villa and executed with N80 million. The information was said to be provided by Sergeant David Bako who claimed to be deserted soldier and one of the abductee of the Dapchi School Girls. The Nigerian Army therefore put the record straight that it has crosscheck it records and cannot find any one call Sergeant David Bako who neither serves in the Army, deserted or dismissed. The Nigerian Army therefore disassociate itself with such fictitious report and request the public to disregard the confession made by the so call Sergeant David Bako who has not been in the Army at all.

2. It is imperative to know that these baseless and inane allegations are not new in the cyber space, knowing the fact that we are in the age of information warfare. Open Source Intelligence reveals that the website Dailyglobewatch.eu with country code top-level domain (ccTLD) .eu used in publishing stories is obviously fake and therefore not correct. Based on our findings the website was registered on the 14 of April 2017 and the last updated was on the same date and will expire on the 14th April 2018, we are very familiar with reports of this nature and will advice the general public to disregard such claim and desist from sharing such information on the New Media as this is against the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015.

3. However, it is really worrisome to the level at which some people could condescend so low to fabricate facetious allegation against the Nigerian Army and the military at large for cheap political gains or simply an act of pure wickedness, thus the public should disregard such facetious allegation.

4. The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate its commitment to remain apolitical and non-partisan in the discharge of its constitutional roles. We would also like to reaffirm our unconditional support and obedience to civil authority as well as reassuring Nigerians that these Fifth columnists will not succeed in their mischief as they will be fished out and dealt with accordingly.

5. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public through your reputable medium.

6. Thank you for your kind cooperation.

TEXAS CHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations

German trainers in Takoradi, Ghana demonstrate proper visit, board, search, and seizure approach techniques during #obangameexpress 2018

A U.S. Marine & Navy team work with civilian & military officials in Ghana in a maritime / ground-force integration tabletop exercise during Obangame Express 2018, on March 21, 2018.

#obangameexpress 2018 exercises West African navies in a variety of boarding scenarios, including protection of marine resources, anti-piracy, and countering human trafficking at sea. #Portugal #Gambia

#OBANGAMEEXPRESS 2018


I.D GUYS IN BLACK.....

It is a great relief today after the @HQNigerianArmy officially opened Maiduguri - Bama - Banki Highway for civilians and commercial activity to pick up. Wishing road users a safe ride and kudos to the Nigerian Army for a job well done.