THOUGH the debate about the
rightness or otherwise of the use of external forces to check the Boko Haram
insurgency in Nigeria has simmered down, it may be stoked with a planned
intervention of the United States (U.S.) in the crisis.
rightness or otherwise of the use of external forces to check the Boko Haram
insurgency in Nigeria has simmered down, it may be stoked with a planned
intervention of the United States (U.S.) in the crisis.
Apparently worried by the increasing activities of Boko Haram not
only in Nigeria but in other African countries, President Barack Obama and the
U.S. government are now taking the threat posed by the group more seriously and
they are already considering military options, including the deployment of
drones and spy planes.
only in Nigeria but in other African countries, President Barack Obama and the
U.S. government are now taking the threat posed by the group more seriously and
they are already considering military options, including the deployment of
drones and spy planes.
At the weekend, President Obama under War Powers Resolution of the
U.S. Public Law, increased the number of American military personnel deployed
to Nigeria’s border country, Niger, to 100, just about a week after the
incoming Commander of the U. S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. David M.
Rodriguez of the U.S. Army, confirmed that Boko Haram operations now cut across
Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger, Mali and Chad.
U.S. Public Law, increased the number of American military personnel deployed
to Nigeria’s border country, Niger, to 100, just about a week after the
incoming Commander of the U. S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. David M.
Rodriguez of the U.S. Army, confirmed that Boko Haram operations now cut across
Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger, Mali and Chad.
U.S. local media had reported about the same time that the
deployment of U.S. military to Niger is with the intention of setting up a
drone base to gather intelligence without ruling out drone attacks against
terrorists in Mali and Nigeria.
deployment of U.S. military to Niger is with the intention of setting up a
drone base to gather intelligence without ruling out drone attacks against
terrorists in Mali and Nigeria.
In an even more categorical statement, Gen. Rodriguez disclosed
that the U.S. military already had sufficient legal authorisation to go after
Boko Haram’s operatives in Nigeria or in the African region based on existing
military authorisations against Al-Qaeda.
that the U.S. military already had sufficient legal authorisation to go after
Boko Haram’s operatives in Nigeria or in the African region based on existing
military authorisations against Al-Qaeda.
In a February 22 letter to the leaders of the U.S. Congress, made
available to The Guardian yesterday, Obama confirmed that by February 20, 2013,
“the last elements of a deployment of approximately 40 additional U.S. military
personnel entered Niger with the consent of the Government of Niger.”
available to The Guardian yesterday, Obama confirmed that by February 20, 2013,
“the last elements of a deployment of approximately 40 additional U.S. military
personnel entered Niger with the consent of the Government of Niger.”
According to Obama in the letter he personally signed, “this
deployment will provide support for intelligence collection and will also
facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in
Mali, and with other partners in the region. The total number of U.S. military
personnel deployed in Niger is approximately 100. The recently deployed forces
have … weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection
and security.”
deployment will provide support for intelligence collection and will also
facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in
Mali, and with other partners in the region. The total number of U.S. military
personnel deployed in Niger is approximately 100. The recently deployed forces
have … weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection
and security.”
While Obama’s letter indicated that the American troops would help
with intelligence, it did not specifically mention the controversial use of
drones for which the U.S. government has attracted both military success and
criticism in recent years.
with intelligence, it did not specifically mention the controversial use of
drones for which the U.S. government has attracted both military success and
criticism in recent years.
But a Washington Post report of the President’s letter at the
weekend said the U.S. base in Niamey, Niger, with about 100 U.S. troops, “have
been deployed to set up a drone base to support French-led military operation.”
weekend said the U.S. base in Niamey, Niger, with about 100 U.S. troops, “have
been deployed to set up a drone base to support French-led military operation.”
The paper added, quoting U.S. defence officials that drone flights
were “imminent” from Niger.
were “imminent” from Niger.
The letter required under America’s system of checks and balances
then concluded: “I directed this deployment of U.S. forces in furtherance of
U.S. national security interests, and pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
Executive.
then concluded: “I directed this deployment of U.S. forces in furtherance of
U.S. national security interests, and pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
Executive.
“I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.”
Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.”
The Guardian has obtained a policy statement of the incoming
Commander of the U.S. AFRICOM meant for use while answering questions last week
at a Congressional confirmation hearing by the U.S. Senate.
Commander of the U.S. AFRICOM meant for use while answering questions last week
at a Congressional confirmation hearing by the U.S. Senate.
In the advance talking points made available to the public, the
incoming Commander, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, said regarding the potential of a
U.S. military strike against Boko Haram, “the current legal authorities,
including the Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism
operations and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for
operations in the AFRICOM area of responsibility.”
incoming Commander, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, said regarding the potential of a
U.S. military strike against Boko Haram, “the current legal authorities,
including the Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism
operations and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for
operations in the AFRICOM area of responsibility.”
Similarly, Obama’s nominee as new Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) director also confirmed that U.S. readiness to use military force against
terrorists around the world is not limited by geographic limitations. He spoke
last week also at a Senate Intelligence confirmation hearing.
(CIA) director also confirmed that U.S. readiness to use military force against
terrorists around the world is not limited by geographic limitations. He spoke
last week also at a Senate Intelligence confirmation hearing.
He said: “ The current legal authorities, including the
Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism operations
and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for operations in the
AFRICOM area of responsibility. However, the Authorisation for Use of Military
Force has been in place for 12 years and al-Qaeda has dispersed and operates in
areas far from the original battlefield.
Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism operations
and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for operations in the
AFRICOM area of responsibility. However, the Authorisation for Use of Military
Force has been in place for 12 years and al-Qaeda has dispersed and operates in
areas far from the original battlefield.
“Given the evolutionary changes in the global security landscape,
I intend to continuously review the current intelligence on Boko Haram and
assess whether the existing authorities are sufficient to take all necessary
actions.”
I intend to continuously review the current intelligence on Boko Haram and
assess whether the existing authorities are sufficient to take all necessary
actions.”
Observers of the U.S. Military say with the rise in Boko Haram’s
and other terrorist groups’ attacks on westerners in Nigeria and neighbouring
countries such a toughening of stance complete with the addition of U.S. troops
in Niger are indicative of a readiness of the U.S. to send clear warning
signals to Boko Haram operatives and sponsors.
and other terrorist groups’ attacks on westerners in Nigeria and neighbouring
countries such a toughening of stance complete with the addition of U.S. troops
in Niger are indicative of a readiness of the U.S. to send clear warning
signals to Boko Haram operatives and sponsors.
Source: Guardian
