Nigeria, Burundi Advance Defence Partnership to Strengthen Regional Peace and Security

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has re-affirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Army toward the expansion of defense collaboration aimed at strengthening regional peace, enhancing military professionalism and improving Africa’s collective response to terrorism and other transnational security threats.

The commitment was made when the COAS received the Ambassador of the Republic of Burundi to Nigeria, His Excellency Edouard Nduwimana, on a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu described Nigeria and Burundi as longstanding partners bound together by shared African values, mutual respect and a common commitment to continental peace and security.

The Army Chief assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to expand military cooperation thru expanded training opportunities, institutional capacity development, personnel exchange programs and strategic exposure visits, all tailored toward enhancing the operational capabilities of both armed forces.

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He said continued cooperation in military education, sharing operational experience and regional security initiatives is still important to countering terrorism, violent extremism and other emerging cross-border threats.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also commended the progress that Burundi has made in promoting peace, stability and national reconciliation, stressing the need for continued military engagements and strategic communication to deepen bilateral defense relations and boost mutual confidence between the two countries.

In his remarks Ambassador Edouard Nduwimana extended the goodwill of the President of the Republic of Burundi, General Évariste Ndayishimiye, while commending the Nigerian Army for its professionalism, operational achievements and contributions to regional peace, counter-terrorism operations and security across Africa.

The Ambassador sought greater access for Burundian military personnel to Nigerian military institutions thru scholarships, specialized training and other capacity building initiatives.

He also called for extended instructor exchange programs, joint military exercises and closer cooperation in peace support operations and counter-terrorism which he described as important steps toward consolidating the long-standing defense partnership between both countries.