TINTSWALO BALOYI
PRETORIA – REPORTS the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is sending its members to help fight Boko Haram in Nigeria are “reckless” and “unfortunate”, an army leader said.

“There is no such decision to send any military elements by the Republic of South Africa to assist with the fight against Boko Haram,” SANDF Chief Lieutenant General Solly Shoke said.

The speculation follows discussions between the South African Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her Nigerian counterpart, Mansur Dan Ali.

They met in Abuja on Monday in the sidelines of State Visit by President Jacob Zuma and a delegation of ministers.

“These bilateral discussions took place as part of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans’ defence diplomacy initiatives with various countries in the region, the continent and the rest of the world. South Africa has military-to-military relations across the continent and beyond, explained Shoke.

Nigeria is battling a deadly insurgency perpetrated by the militant Islamic Boko Haram in recent months.

More than 20 000 civilians and an unspecified number of soldiers have been killed.

The Nigerian Army has nonetheless curtailed the sect’s prowess in recent months.

– CAJ News