Both of our nations have faced the brutality and reality of bitter civil wars and insurgencies. For us the 10 year Algerian Civil War and our own guerilla campaign for independence, for you the bloody Nigerian civil war and ongoing low level insurgency in the delta. These conflicts have given our militaries a wealth of knowledge on counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism tactics for a uniquely African context. Despite this, our region suffers from numerous ethnic and religious civil conflicts with which the local governments possess neither the experience nor resources to deal with. In desperation, our West African brothers are forced to invite French and American forces onto their soil to conduct counter-terrorism operations. These troops have little understanding of the nuances of local cultures and are not operating out of the goodness of their hearts, but rather securing the geopolitical interests of the West.

With the combined experience of our two militaries, we could provide our neighbours with the training they need to take control of their own sovereignty without the need of Western powers. It’s time Africans took their security into their own hands. This is why we are proposing the joint creation of the West African School of Counter-Insurgency, a compound on the outskirts of Niamey, Niger’s capital. Nigerian and Algerian officers and counter-terrorism experts will train up to 300 officers at one time from the militaries of the ECOWAS nations, Tunisia and Mauritania.

The compound will feature:

• Dorms for 300 officers and trainers (auxiliary staff will be hired locally)

• Dining area, toilet and shower blocks and recreational facilities

• A mock town for practical sessions

• Demountable classrooms

From here, officers will be instructed in counter-terrorism theory, building rapport and in local communities, infiltrating terrorist networks, intelligence gathering, surveillance, improvised explosive defusal and engaging hostiles in civilian areas.

Although foreign forces will continue to operate in the region for the foreseeable future, it is our hope that eventually the African people will be the sole controllers of their own security and therefore their destiny. If the school is a success, we envision an expansion to allow participants from all over the African continent. Furthermore, this venture will facilitate excellent networking opportunities between West African militaries, deepening regional defense cooperation.