SOUTH AFRICA: Insurgency - South Africa to Extend Military Special Forces to Nigeria

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali monday said arrangements are currently on going between South Africa and Nigeria military for the extension of her military special forces to Nigeria.

This he said was a follow up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2013, prompting the Chiefs of Defence of the two countries to meet and trash out all the areas that are relevant to the two countries.

The minister disclosed this while receiving South African delegation led by the Minister of Defence , Ms. Nobise Mapisa-Nqakula.

According to him, "The two countries should look at how the two industrial complex would come into being. It is a very good thing that we are thinking that South Africa being the closeness ally to us should come and help us in developing our industrial complex, that is the Defence Corporation of Nigeria."

He added: "We are of the opinion that very soon when the two Commander-in-Chiefs meet, and the visit is finalised, we will look into going deep how the two countries will work together and coming to an agreement ‎between the MoU and technical expertise between the two countries.

When asked about how extension of South Africa military expertise‎ to Nigeria would work, Dan-Ali said: "This is just like the special forces ‎that have been discussed by the two Chiefs of Defence Staff, that one will come into being within the two countries as soon as possible.‎"

Earlier, South Africa‎ Minister of Defence, Ms.Mapisa-Nqakula, said the collaboration between South Africa defence industry and that of Nigeria was meant to strengthen defence ties between the two countries.

She said this would include transfer of skills, technologies, research and development, adding that sharing of information and supporting each other in contemporary challenges are also inclusive.

Mapisa-Nqakula explained: "Whether buying or transfer of technology, it depends on the decision of the two Chiefs of Defence and I know that they have met and held a lengthy meeting, so I think they have also began to identify the critical areas of research development, they have also identify areas for acquisition."

She noted that the Committee of Defence ‎that would be put in place by both countries should be able to reach an agreement by June when the inaugural meeting of the committee would be held to decide whether the Defence industry would be a joint ventures, or procuring from one country by the other country.

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