The Office National Security Adviser (ONSA) is collaborating with European Union (EU) through its Instrument for Stability (IFS) to offer training support to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies on human rights and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC). JIBRIN BABA NDACE writes
Globally, issues of human rights and how military and other security agencies relate with, and treat civilian populace, in internal security operations and other theatres of war has remained on the front burners of discourse within security circles.
There have been allegations of human rights abuse committed by the military and other security agencies in internal security operations and various theatres of war across the globe.
In Africa, there has been concern about how security agencies handle civilians in internal security operations. In Nigeria, upsurge of security challenge occasioned by the insurgency and other forms of criminalities have brought to the fore challenges of gaps in civil military cooperation and respect for human rights during operations.
To address these challenges and fill-in the knowledge gaps in line with global trends, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) organised orientation programme for the military and other law enforcement agencies working groups on observance of human rights and Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in internal security operations.
In his welcome address at the event, which held at the National Defence College, (NDC) from 15-16 September 2014, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki rtd said the programme was aim at boosting the capacity of the military and other security agencies on effective compliance with provision of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) during military operations in line with international best practice.
“Let me first acknowledge the commitment Nigeria shows to address and improve the relationship between the armed forces and security agencies and its citizens when fighting terrorism and insurgency. The European Union acts in support of Nigeria’s own decisions and strategies to this end.-but first and foremost is the requirement for Nigerian commitment and effort. I would say that this seems to be already proven by the direct involvement of so many dedicated Nigerian officials in this projects at national level.”
The National Security Adviser who was represented by Director Military Affairs ONSA, Major General Babatunde Samuel (rtd), disclosed that the project which is complementary approach to traditional conduct of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations is the first in Africa adding that CIMIC is an existing framework for the promotion of human rights when armed forces are interacting with local population.
“This project, which aims to improve such cooperation, will impact the operations against terrorism and insurgency in populated areas in Nigeria. For this reason the main security agencies-the three Armed Forces, Police and Department of State Security (SSS)- are involved.”
“This programme will no doubt serve as a veritable platform for the Nigerian Armed Forces and relevant security agencies to key into current international best practices in this very important requirement for the conduct of on-going counter terrorism operations and any other military operations in the future. ”
Dasuki who was represented by the Director Military Affairs, ONSA, Major General Babatunde Samuel (rtd), noted that participants were carefully selected from the various services, into the programe designed to enable exchange of ideas with the European experts.
In his welcome remarks, the Head of EU delegation, Ambassador Michel Arrion, said the programe is aimed at improving relationship between the armed forces and citizens.
“This is aimed at boosting their capacity towards effective compliance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law(IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) during military operations in line with international best practices .”
“This programme will no doubt serve as a veritable platform for the Nigerian Armed Forces and relevant security agencies to key into current international best practices in this very important requirement for the conduct of on-going counter-terrorism operations and any other military operations in the future. ”
Arrion, who was represented by Alan Munday, added that the collaboration, which is the first complementary approach undertaken by the EU in Africa is geared towards creating a draft for the production a civil military cooperation hand book adding that the programme hoped to bring about new and endurable civil-military cooperation in Nigeria.
He said the work plan for delivery of the training support involves series of activities which include: train-the-trainer Course at the NDC Abuja from 13 to 31 of October 2014; articulation of CIMIC Doctrine, planning process and foeld hand book by the Working Group Doctrine from 17 September 2014 to 28 February 2015; articulation of CIMIC Debriefing Templates and Analysis Tools by Working Group Lessons Learned Process from 17 September 2014 to February 2015, articulation of CIMIC theoretical, technical and practical training curriculum by working group training from 13 October 2014 to 31 May 2015.
Other plans include training of 25 experts in CIMIC and human rights at the French CIMIC Centre of Lyon in November 2014; CIMIC workshop at NDC, Abuja from 23 to 25 October 2014, CIMIC Live exercise at NAPKC Jaji from 24 November to 5 December 2014 and inauguration of the inter-agency CIMIC Community in December 2014.
Participants who spoke with Blueprint commended the effort of ONSA and EU for bring them together on CIMIC and human rights, which they said would not only help in building their capacities on the issues, would also help in shaping public perception about the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies.
