The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, has said that their military presence in Nigeria is by invitation.
According to AFRICOM, it is rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and mutual interest, and within an agreed bilateral framework.
These comments were made by AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Col Rebecca Heyse, while speaking during an X Space discussion on Tuesday.
Heyse insisted that the partnership between the US and Nigeria was not an imposition.
“Our operations and cooperation with Nigeria are rooted in fundamental respect for Nigerian sovereignty. We operate strictly by invitation and under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework,” she said.
Heyse said the United States remained committed to the partnership for as long as both countries considered it mutually beneficial.
“As long as there are shared security threats and the framework continues to be of value to both countries, the United States remains committed to the partnership,” she said.
The spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, Maj Gen Samiala Uba, reinforced this position from the Nigerian side, making clear that it was Nigeria, not the United States, that determined the scope and duration of the collaboration.
