News
Sudan, Chad Ready For Peace Talks
Sudan said, yesterday, it was committed to peace with neighbouring Chad after accusing it of bombing its western Darfur region last week, but also warned it would not be held back if threatened.
Sudan claimed two Chadian aircraft bombed the Umm Dukhun area of West Darfur state on Thursday, an area believed to be the base for Chadian rebels opposed to the rule of President Idriss Deby Itno.
“Sudan has no interest in undermining Chad’s security,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila was quoted as saying by the state news agency SUNA.
Reports of fresh conflict in the border region raised fears of wider hostilities between the neighbours, but Wasila said Khartoum remained committed “to all the agreements that it has signed with Chad.”
However Wasila also warned Chad that Sudan would not hold back “if its interests and citizens are harmed.”
The Sudanese side did not report any casualties after Thursday’s raid, but state media said that trade between the two countries has been cut.
“Business activities between the two countries halted as a consequence of the attack,” said the Sudan Media Centre, a web site considered close to the intelligence services.
Ndjamena has denied Sudan’s accusations, saying it bombed rebel positions only within its own territory.
Chadian rebels from the Union of Forces of Resistance (UFR) claimed several civilians were killed during raids inside Chad on Thursday, but this was not possible to verify.
The head of the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), Rodolphe Adada, said he was “deeply concerned” at reports of a “renewed outburst of fighting.”
He called on both sides “to put to an end to any hostile activities in the area.”
“The ongoing tension continues to be one of the major obstacles to peace and security of Darfur,” Adada said in a statement on Friday. “Good relations between Chad and Sudan are a key to ensuring lasting peace in the area.”
Chad has accused Sudan of supporting rebels seeking to oust Deby, while Khartoum has charged Ndjamena with backing ethnic minority rebels in Darfur.
In May, Chadian insurgents coming from Sudan launched an offensive against Ndjamena but Chad’s army forced them back into western Sudan, where they are based.
Senator Ike Nwachukwu (right) ,NAHCO M/D, Mr Bates Sarki Sule (centre) and FAAN M/D, Mr Richard Aisebsogun during the commissioning of NAHCO warehouse at the Port Harcourt Int’l Airport, Omagwa. Photo: Ike Wigodo.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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