Nigerian general appointed AU Standby Force Chief of Staff

(NIGERIA)
Brig.-Gen. Tijjani Kangbap Golau has assumed duty as the new Chief of Staff of the African Standby Force in the Peace Support Operations Division of the AU Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria in Addis Ababa reports that prior to this appointment Golau was Director, Nigerian Army Centre for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency.

Golau was deployed by Defence Headquarters to represent Nigeria in continental peace support operations at the AU Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

GENERAL KENETH MINIMAH

He replaced late Gen. I. I. Hassan who died in 2007, while serving in the same capacity at the PSOD of the AU commission.

NAN reports that the officer is expected to enhance the full operationalisation of the African Standby Force base on recommendations of the report of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari-led technical committee.

The Gambari committee had reviewed the progress and the challenges in the effort for the operationalisation of the force aimed to address the current regional and continental security challenges.

The office of the Chief of Staff is expected to ensure the operationalisation of the African Standby Force with full capability by the target of Dec. 31, 2015.

The African Standby Force was established following adoption of recommendations of the meeting of Ministers of Defence held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 20, 2004.

This was in accordance with the AU Policy Framework for peace and stability of the continent.

Golau would equally be responsible for ensuring the sustenance of the ASF amidst increased pressure to create a parallel mechanism.

The mechanism, which is known as the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises, is being spearheaded by some AU Member States as a prelude to the full operationalisation of ASF.

NAN further reports that the PSOD under which the ASF operates is an organ of the AU saddled with the responsibility of launching, managing and liquidating the continent’s peace operations.

 Of recent, it was responsible for the operations in Mali, Central African Republic and Somalia, among others.

Meanwhile, Golau had assured of his commitment to ensure the full operationalisation of the AU Standby Force for a peaceful continent within the targeted period. (NAN)