Maduekwe indicates that Nigeria wont support US Combatant Troops in Africa

He made the statement at an interview with newsmen in Washington DC, after the 47th Independence anniversary celebration held at the Nigerian Embassy.

According to the Minister, stationing US combat troops on African soil is counter-productive, unnecessary and impinges on the sovereignty of states.
If there is one continent that is not hostile to the United States, by reason of its own understanding of its regional interest, it is Africa, but AFRICOM is not in terms of US setting up military bases in Africa because there is no need for that.

Reminded that the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has already offered her country as a base for AFRICOM, the Minister said we will not comment on Liberia’s position because we need to read their statement and the context of what the Liberian government is saying because presence does not have to mean combat troops. It could mean exchange of information, it could mean training facilities.

 Even Nigeria has benefited from training facilities from the United States. If that is what the command is all about, there is nothing new about that.
Maduekwe disclosed that Nigeria was yet to receive a formal document which explains AFRICOM, even after it has been launched for more than three months. He said the communication concerning the command was inadequate.