in parts of northern Nigeria by the terrorist group, Boko Haram,
offered no practical solutions to the challenges of development in the
north.
It explained that the terrorist group was capitalising on popular
local frustrations, religious differences as well as economic and
social difficulties to undermine the Nigerian government while also
exploiting religious differences to create chaos and make Nigeria
ungovernable for the government.
Assessing government's strategies in the fight against terrorism in
the north, the US equally advocated the initiation of a new approach
that would complement government's counter-terrorism strategy in
northern Nigeria.
The new approach, it said, should encompassan economic recovery
strategy that would attract the support of governors, local chiefs and
young people of the region.
The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman,
stated this at the opening session of the ninth Nigeria-US Binational
Commission (BNC) meeting in Abuja, where she also reiterated her
country's resolve to continue working with Nigeria towards securing a
stable future that ensures civilian security and provides for the
well-being of Nigerians.
"Nigeria faces several challenges to national and regional stability.
The largest of these challenges is, of course, a Boko Haram-led
insurgency operating in the country's North-east that has created
widespread insecurity across northern Nigeria, increased tensions
between various ethnic communities, interrupted development
activities, frightened off investors, and generated concern among
Nigeria's northern neighbours.
"Nigeria cannot fully achieve its potential as a stable regional
leader until Nigeria successfully overcomes the challenge of Boko
Haram and secures peace and protection for all its citizens in all
regions.
"We know that Boko Haram offers no practical solution 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," Sherman said.
She further explained that the US 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," she said.
Speaking on the importance of Nigeria to the US, Sherman stated that
the US is proud of its strong ties with Nigeria, adding that
suchstrong partnerships endure the test of time between governments
and people.
According to her, sustained security efforts arenecessary to protect
innocent Nigerians, prevent Boko Haram's acts of violence and capture
and prosecute its leaders through a new social compact with Nigerian
citizens that encompasses an economic recovery strategy as a
complement to the government's security strategy.
She said: "The United States and Nigeria haveties to each other at
every level. At some $5 billion, Nigeria is the second largest
destination for US private investment in Africa.
"However, one of our strongest connections is even more personal. More
than 1.5 million Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans live in theUnited
States and an estimated 31,000 US citizens live in Nigeria.
"Strong partnerships endure the test of time between governments and
between people. We are both democracies that continue to evolve to
meet the needs of our citizens and respond to the multifaceted and
ever-changing dynamics of the internationalcommunity.
"The US remains committed to working withNigeria towards securing a
future for your country that ensures stability and civilian security
and provides for the well-being of allof Nigeria's people."
On the new complementary approach to the fight against terrorism in
the north, Sherman said: "Nigeria's success is important to us, and we
will continue to invest in Nigeria's institutions, people, and
businesses to both countries' mutual benefit.
"We also recognise that success cannot be achieved unless Nigeria
surmounts the challenges that frustrate progress. It is in this spirit
that the US engages today in this working group on Regional Security
Cooperation (RSC).
"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 toboth 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 is brighter in a more secure Nigeria.
"This may require a new social compact withNigerian citizens that
encompasses an economic recovery strategy as a complement to the
government's security strategy.
"This approach will be successful to the extentthat it can garner the
support of northern governors and local officials, traditional
andreligious leaders, civil society organisations, and a generation of
young Nigerians who are connected to their government, locally and
federally."
Reiterating her country's resolve to partner Nigeria, the under
secretary noted: "Stability, security and prosperity are long-term
goals with no easy fixes for any country, but together we can go
further than we can alone.
"A visible commitment and demonstrated actions to protect civil
liberties and ensure civilian security can go a long way towards
rebuilding the trust between a government and its people upon whom our
shared well-being depends.
"When government commits itself to progress and meaningful reforms,
the people benefit and extremists become marginalised. By working
together, we can contribute to economic growth, democratic progress,
and lasting peace.
"These objectives are important to the US, to Nigeria, and to the
global community, and Ihope that this forum will continue to further
our partnership.
"The US has shown commitment in addressing security challenges facing
Nigeriaespecially the Boko Haram insurgency whichhas created
widespread insecurity across northern parts of the country, increased
tensions between various ethnic communities, and has interrupted
development in the region."
The diplomat also observed that the ninth Binational Commission
meeting reflects the strong partnership between both countries to
ensure regional stability and economic growth with consideration for
Nigeria's growth potential as Africa's largest economy.
"Nigeria's prosperity and stability reverberate in the region and
across Africa. And it is Nigerian business people and traders who
make up the most influential populations of non-citizens in most West
African countries.
"This nation's leadership has helped resolve major political and
security crises in West Africa, from the Liberian and Sierra Leone
crises in the 1990s to the more recent political problems in Guinea,
Niger, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali, and your vital contribution to
peacekeeping operations worldwide has served as a model and an anchor
in a region that will face critical challenges in the years ahead,"
Sherman stated.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador
Martin Uhomoibhi, in his remarks, explained that the meeting was to
address the emerging common and severe threat, as well as proffer
strategies to improve security cooperation by examining ways to
strengthen relations and ongoing efforts between both countries.
Uhomoibhi said: "The regional security cooperation working group
should be an established platform to strengthen the capacity of our
security agencies to counter-extremism.
"We are committed to close collaboration on security and other related
issues with a sharp focus to bring lasting peace to the country."
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