The United States on Thursday said the Federal Government and the military authorities needed to win the minds of northern Nigerians and to urgently embark on economic recovery strategy if it ever wished to win the war against Boko Haram.
The government, according to the US, must also provide commensurate justice to both the insurgents and the victims of their violence.
“The Nigerian government and military must also win over the hearts and minds of northern populations by protecting them and providing timely and commensurate justice to both insurgents and the victims of this unfortunate conflict. Though no easy task, a comprehensive approach that addresses socio-economic problems, articulates clear rules of engagement, and commits to accountability for those who perpetrate violence, both Boko Haram and security forces, will demonstrate to every Nigerian that their future isbrighter in a more secure Nigeria,” US Under Secretary, Wendy Sherman, said in Abuja.
Sherman spoke at the opening session of the Regional Security Cooperation Working Group of the US-Nigeria Binational Commission.
The US official said the violent Islamic sect posed the largest challenge to Nigeria’s stability as it had created “widespread insecurity across Northern Nigeria, increased tensions between various ethnic communities, interrupted development activities, frightened off investors and generated concerns among Nigeria’s northern neighbours.
“Nigeria cannot fully achieve its potential as a stable regional leader until the country successfully overcomes the challenge of Boko Haram and secures peace and protection for all its citizens in all regions,” she stressed.
Sherman therefore canvassed that the leaders of the insurgents must be captured and prosecuted.
The US Under Secretary said, “We know that Boko Haram offers no practical solutions to northern Nigeria’s problems. Instead, it capitalises on popular frustrations, religious differences, and economic and social difficulties, seeking to undermine the government and exploit religious differences in order to create chaos and make Nigeria ungovernable.
“The United States knows from experience the immense difficulty in confronting an enemy that respects no boundaries and kills civilians indiscriminately. Today, I hope that our teams can identify specific areas in the context of regional security where we can deepen our partnership and chart concrete steps forward on those topics on which we are already working together.
“Security efforts are necessary to protect innocent Nigerians, to prevent Boko Haram’s acts of violence, and to capture and prosecute its leaders.”
She said the US prescription to overcome Boko Haram “may require a new social compact with Nigerian citizens that encompasses an economic recovery strategy as a complement to the government’s security strategy. This approach will be successful to the extent that it can garner the support of northern governors and local officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and a generation of young Nigerians who are connected to their government, locally and federally.”
She admitted that success for the Federal Government might not be easy but promised the US support “as one of your strongest and most faithful friends and partners.”
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, who co-chaired the meeting, said the BNC was aimed at sustaining and promoting diplomatic, economic and security cooperation between the two countries based on mutual respect, benefit and equality.
According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan has deployed enormous resources to confront the Boko Haram threats.
Uhomoibhi added that “the country would soon overcome its challenges,” and requested the US to support Nigeria’s security agencies with capacity building and specialised training on intelligence gathering.
The framework establishing the BNC was signed on April 6, 2010 in Washington D.C. Nigeria is the second largest destination for the U.S. private investment estimated at about $5 billion.
According to Sherman, more than 1.5 million Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans live in the U.S while estimated 31,000 U.S. citizens live in Nigeria.
The communiqué issued at the end of the BNC meeting read, “Both countries acknowledged that terrorism posed a threat to Nigeria’s national development, regional stability, and global security. In this regard, they expressed determination and commitment to further improve and support measures put in place by the Nigerian government to address the security challenges.
“Both countries noted the fundamental responsibility of government to preserve life, protect the population, and fairly administer justice. Both countries agreed on the importance of good governance, accountability, and economic development in building a prosperous and peaceful future for all Nigerians.
“The Executive Governor of Borno State reaffirmed the importance of the state government in building peace and prosperity and his commitment to good governance, accountability, and economic development towards resolving ongoing conflict in northern Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government is committed to ensuring the protection of the fundamental human rights of all citizens, including terrorism suspects. Both countries will seek to collaborate on communications strategies to engage communities in Nigeria on issues of peace and security.
“The Nigerian government affirmed its commitment to further enhance the professional capacity of the security forces to respond to internal conflicts and extremist violence while protecting human rights. As part of this effort, the U.S. Government affirmed its commitment to assist the Nigerian Police Force to identify areas of increased partnership.
“Recognising a joint desire to further strengthen bilateral relations, the U.S. and Nigerian governments resolve to partake in more persistent engagement and cooperation on security matters, working through the United States Embassy in Abuja. The United States committed to supporting Nigeria in pursuing holistic and comprehensive solutions to address security and development needs in northern Nigeria.
“The Nigerian and U.S. governments intend to follow up on these commitments and seek further collaboration to address the challenges identified in the Regional Security Cooperation Working Group.
“Both countries plan to seek participation from the private sector, civil society, local governments, and other democratic partner countries in the next meeting of the Regional Security Cooperation Working Group.”
CULLED – PUNCH
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