Abuja — Nigeria, alongside Ghana, Benin Republic, Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, Togo and Chad are to receive refund on expenses incurred in the deployment of troops and other spending in the first 90 days of their stay in Mali.

The plans to make the refund was unfolded on thursday by the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Kadre Desire Ouédraogo, at a ceremony for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Troop and Police Contributing Countries to the African-led International Support in Mali (AFISMA) in Abuja. The MoU is to facilitate repayment to the contributing countries who took responsibility for the initial expenses on their troops. He did not disclose how much would be refunded to each country, but Nigeria spent over $45 million in its bid to assist the restoration of peace, stability and democracy in Mali.

"The intervention in Mali was a success and since United Nations has taken charge of the troops, it is better for the commission to refund our members that sponsored their troops personally without delay," Ouédraogo said. He also lauded the efforts of France, the European Union, and Chad Republic for their sacrifices and contributing to the Mali peacekeeping mission, adding that the commission did not receive any complaint on human rights violations while the military expedition lasted. On the recent elections in Mali, Ouédraogo said 250 ECOWAS observers were deployed and they adjudged the elections to be free and fair. He expressed optimism that the new government would be able to build on the peace efforts of the troops.

Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to peace and stability in the sub region and around the world.