Weapons Sale Suspension: US Security Cooperation With Nigeria Not Affected, Says Consul General

Security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria has
neither been halted nor frozen by the recent suspension of weapons
sales to Nigeria by the US Congress. US Consul General in Nigeria
Claire Pierangelo disclosed this on-board the visiting United
States Ship (USS) Hershel “Woody” Williams at the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) jetty, Apapa, in Lagos.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, an Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 4
permanently deployed to Africa, is in Lagos for a three-day sea
exercise with operatives of the Nigerian Navy and their Ghanaian
counterparts.

Pierangelo said sales and transfers of weapons to the Nigerian
military by the US currently exceeded $559 million, emphasizing the
commitment of the American government to Nigeria’s defence
needs.

She declared, “Let me address first the questions of the role of
the US Congress in terms of selling weapons. All foreign military
sales, regardless of which country, need congressional notification
threshold, must have completed the statutory congressional review
process prior to the sale being completed and any equipment under
that sale being delivered.

“So there’s a very robust process in the United States
congressional notification. No military sale can go forward without
that being done and no military sale will ever be delivered or
scheduled whilst subject to any kind of congressional hold or any
statutory restrictions.

“The US is committed to supporting Nigeria’s defence
requirements while also ensuring that respect for democracy and
human rights remain a key priority in the bilateral
relationship.

“We take seriously our obligations to ensure that all arms sales
and transfers are consistent with the law and with the President’s
commitment that US arms sales and transfers be consistent with our
values, including promoting respect for human right in compliance
with the laws of arms conflict.

“So current security cooperation continues with Nigeria. It has
not been halted or frozen. The current value of sales and transfers
of capabilities to the Nigerian military exceed some $559
million.

“We know the arrival of the first 12 A29 Super Tucano is part of
that sale, we are working closely with the Nigerian Air Force to
make the first six A29 operational and delivering the next six in
the coming months.

“In addition, we will be working with the Nigerian military to
develop additional capabilities to reduce the risk of collateral
damage and civilian casualties as our partnership here includes an
advisor in the law of arms.”

Asked if there were plans by the US to transfer naval assets to
the Nigerian Navy under the Excess Defence Article programme,
Pierangelo said talks were on. She added that the Nigerian Navy had
indicated interest in a number of equipment, explaining that they
are eligible to request.

The consul general stated, “The Nigerian Navy has expressed
great interest in receiving ships from the Excess Defence Article
programme. They are, of course, eligible. Our partnership remains
strong with Nigerian Navy. We are here to train and work with the
Nigerian Navy. It is important we engage with Nigerian
agencies.”

On the visit of the ship, Pierangelo said it was part of the
US-Nigeria bilateral relationship, which she described as one of
the most important in Africa.

The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that may be
used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a
mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access
infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies
to support missions assigned.

Pierangelo said, “We work closely with the Nigerian Navy, and
with all of Nigeria’s military services, to counter threats to
Nigerian and African security.

“All have a common interest in a peaceful, well-policed Gulf of
Guinea, and support from the United States and its like-minded
partners significantly increases Nigeria’s ability to reach this
shared goal.

“Illicit maritime activities, such as illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing; the trafficking of weapons, narcotics, and
people; as well as the on-going threat of piracy and oil
infrastructure insecurity, undermine the rule of law, food
security, and economic development in Nigeria and the greater Gulf
of Guinea.

“Ship visits, like this one, clearly demonstrate the United
States’ continued dedication to our partners in the Gulf of Guinea
as they strive for security of their resources, their economy, and
their people. We are delighted that Nigeria is hosting this
engagement, as we firmly believe that maritime security in Nigeria
will lead to greater regional prosperity.

Security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria has
neither been halted nor frozen by the recent suspension of weapons
sales to Nigeria by the US Congress. US Consul General in Nigeria
Claire Pierangelo disclosed this on-board the visiting United
States Ship (USS) Hershel “Woody” Williams at the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) jetty, Apapa, in Lagos.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, an Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 4
permanently deployed to Africa, is in Lagos for a three-day sea
exercise with operatives of the Nigerian Navy and their Ghanaian
counterparts.

Pierangelo said sales and transfers of weapons to the Nigerian
military by the US currently exceeded $559 million, emphasizing the
commitment of the American government to Nigeria’s defence
needs.

She declared, “Let me address first the questions of the role of
the US Congress in terms of selling weapons. All foreign military
sales, regardless of which country, need congressional notification
threshold, must have completed the statutory congressional review
process prior to the sale being completed and any equipment under
that sale being delivered.

“So there’s a very robust process in the United States
congressional notification. No military sale can go forward without
that being done and no military sale will ever be delivered or
scheduled whilst subject to any kind of congressional hold or any
statutory restrictions.

“The US is committed to supporting Nigeria’s defence
requirements while also ensuring that respect for democracy and
human rights remain a key priority in the bilateral
relationship.

“We take seriously our obligations to ensure that all arms sales
and transfers are consistent with the law and with the President’s
commitment that US arms sales and transfers be consistent with our
values, including promoting respect for human right in compliance
with the laws of arms conflict.

“So current security cooperation continues with Nigeria. It has
not been halted or frozen. The current value of sales and transfers
of capabilities to the Nigerian military exceed some $559
million.

“We know the arrival of the first 12 A29 Super Tucano is part of
that sale, we are working closely with the Nigerian Air Force to
make the first six A29 operational and delivering the next six in
the coming months.

“In addition, we will be working with the Nigerian military to
develop additional capabilities to reduce the risk of collateral
damage and civilian casualties as our partnership here includes an
advisor in the law of arms.”

Asked if there were plans by the US to transfer naval assets to
the Nigerian Navy under the Excess Defence Article programme,
Pierangelo said talks were on. She added that the Nigerian Navy had
indicated interest in a number of equipment, explaining that they
are eligible to request.

The consul general stated, “The Nigerian Navy has expressed
great interest in receiving ships from the Excess Defence Article
programme. They are, of course, eligible. Our partnership remains
strong with Nigerian Navy. We are here to train and work with the
Nigerian Navy. It is important we engage with Nigerian
agencies.”

On the visit of the ship, Pierangelo said it was part of the
US-Nigeria bilateral relationship, which she described as one of
the most important in Africa.

The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that may be
used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a
mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access
infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies
to support missions assigned.

Pierangelo said, “We work closely with the Nigerian Navy, and
with all of Nigeria’s military services, to counter threats to
Nigerian and African security.

“All have a common interest in a peaceful, well-policed Gulf of
Guinea, and support from the United States and its like-minded
partners significantly increases Nigeria’s ability to reach this
shared goal.

“Illicit maritime activities, such as illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing; the trafficking of weapons, narcotics, and
people; as well as the on-going threat of piracy and oil
infrastructure insecurity, undermine the rule of law, food
security, and economic development in Nigeria and the greater Gulf
of Guinea.

“Ship visits, like this one, clearly demonstrate the United
States’ continued dedication to our partners in the Gulf of Guinea
as they strive for security of their resources, their economy, and
their people. We are delighted that Nigeria is hosting this
engagement, as we firmly believe that maritime security in Nigeria
will lead to greater regional prosperity.