Monday, June 15, 2015

US government pledges $5bn to the Multinational Joint Task Force fight against Boko Haram

 



US government pledges $5bn to the Multinational Joint Task Force fight against Boko Haram

US donates $5bn to the fight against Boko Haram


The United States has announced a $5 billion contribution to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in order to boost military operations against Boko Haram insurgency. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US assistant secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, announced this at a news briefing via telephone from the African Union Summit on Monday.


 The money will go towards the Multi Joint Task Force, a military team drawn from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, with the sole responsibility of fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the Lake Chad region.

Making the pledge known at the AU Summit in South Africa today June 15th, the US Assistant Secretary of Bureau of African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the US govt is currently in talks with President Buhari on how best they can support the fight against insurgency in the region



“We are having discussions with President Buhari on how we might bolster our support. We have already been working with them and providing information. We are also providing some equipment and support and we have a number of meetings with the countries who are members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to look at other areas we might support. We are working closely with the Lake Chad Basin countries: Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon to address the issues of Boko Haram,” she said

“At the same time, we’ve just announced at the venue of the AU, a five billion dollar contribution to the Multinational Task Force. We are also providing some equipment and support and we have a number of meetings with the countries who are members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to look at other areas we might support.” Thomas-Greenfield said that Africa had faced “some really horrendous terrorist attacks” over the past two years, citing the West Gate and Garissa University attacks in Kenya and Boko Haram attacks, particularly the kidnapping of the Chibok girls, in Borno state.


“While I would not say Africa is under siege, Africa has some major security challenges that require a very strong and very concerted strategic effort by African countries and partners to address the security concerns of Africa,” she continued.


“The United States is providing a strong support to AU on security, as it has a strong partnership with Africa on security. We are working closely with the Lake Chad Basin countries: Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon to address the issue of Boko Haram.” She said America had so far trained some 250,000 African peacekeepers, and expressed its highest commitment to security on the continent. The US envoy also used the opportunity to express support for the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir.


“The United States frowns at plans by some African leaders to subvert the constitution to extend their terms in office. US only supports two-term limit in office,” she said. Thomas-Greenfield’s announcement is the second of such hefty donation to MNJTF in three days. On Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the release of $21 million (out of the $100 million pledged by Nigeria) to the regional task force.




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US government pledges $5bn to the Multinational Joint Task Force fight against Boko Haram

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