Nigeria
has summoned United States Ambassador Terence McCulley over his comment on the
Boko Haram insurgency.
has summoned United States Ambassador Terence McCulley over his comment on the
Boko Haram insurgency.
Minister
of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who invited the Ambassador,
discussed with him his comment, which the government said it was not
comfortable with.
of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who invited the Ambassador,
discussed with him his comment, which the government said it was not
comfortable with.
But a
government source said despite the interaction, there was no strain in the two
countries’ relationship.
government source said despite the interaction, there was no strain in the two
countries’ relationship.
Speaking
in a telephone conference with journalists from four locations in West Africa
on Thursday, Ambassador McCulley said: “The Boko Haram phenomenon has not
stopped as a result of the operation going on in northern Mali. I do believe
that Nigerians feel that there is a link between extremist activity in the
Sahel and in their internal extremist insurgency.
in a telephone conference with journalists from four locations in West Africa
on Thursday, Ambassador McCulley said: “The Boko Haram phenomenon has not
stopped as a result of the operation going on in northern Mali. I do believe
that Nigerians feel that there is a link between extremist activity in the
Sahel and in their internal extremist insurgency.
“The
government of Nigeria clearly needs to address this issue with what we call a
multi-pronged approach that focuses generally on the security threat that Boko
Haram represents. Also, in addressing economic and social conditions that exist
in the North, communicating to northern populations, who have suffered most
from the deprivations of these extremist attacks.”
government of Nigeria clearly needs to address this issue with what we call a
multi-pronged approach that focuses generally on the security threat that Boko
Haram represents. Also, in addressing economic and social conditions that exist
in the North, communicating to northern populations, who have suffered most
from the deprivations of these extremist attacks.”
A
source in the ministry, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised
to speak officially, said: “It was shocking to the government for the
Ambassador to have faulted our approach to the Boko Haram crisis. Apart from
demanding a new approach to Boko Haram, he expressed doubts that the ongoing
intervention in Mali might not solve the crisis.
source in the ministry, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised
to speak officially, said: “It was shocking to the government for the
Ambassador to have faulted our approach to the Boko Haram crisis. Apart from
demanding a new approach to Boko Haram, he expressed doubts that the ongoing
intervention in Mali might not solve the crisis.
“We
felt the Ambassador did not explore appropriate diplomatic channels to air his
views on such a volatile matter.
felt the Ambassador did not explore appropriate diplomatic channels to air his
views on such a volatile matter.
“But
when the Ambassador came, he told the Minister that he was misquoted. He took
time to explain what he meant during a telephonic conference call with
journalists.
when the Ambassador came, he told the Minister that he was misquoted. He took
time to explain what he meant during a telephonic conference call with
journalists.
“So
far, I can tell you that the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Ambassador had
fruitful interaction. There is no cause for alarm at all in our relationship
with the US.”
far, I can tell you that the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Ambassador had
fruitful interaction. There is no cause for alarm at all in our relationship
with the US.”
Asked
if it was right to invite the Ambassador, the source asked: “Is it bad to seek
clarification on any issue or comment? We need to find out if the US is not on
the same page with us on Boko Haram menace.
if it was right to invite the Ambassador, the source asked: “Is it bad to seek
clarification on any issue or comment? We need to find out if the US is not on
the same page with us on Boko Haram menace.
“We are
concerned because the US is a member of the UN Security Council which approved
the intervention in Mali.”
concerned because the US is a member of the UN Security Council which approved
the intervention in Mali.”
Also on
Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned a top U.S. diplomat over the U.S.
Embassy’s Twitter account critical of the unconditional pardon given to former
Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted on corruption
charges.
Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned a top U.S. diplomat over the U.S.
Embassy’s Twitter account critical of the unconditional pardon given to former
Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was convicted on corruption
charges.
Two
short tweets were published by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. The first said the
U.S. was “deeply disappointed” over the Alamieyeseigha pardon.
short tweets were published by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. The first said the
U.S. was “deeply disappointed” over the Alamieyeseigha pardon.
The
second tweet simply said: “We see this as a setback in the fight against
corruption.”
second tweet simply said: “We see this as a setback in the fight against
corruption.”
The
Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it was urgently calling James P.
McAnulty, the U.S. deputy chief of mission, for a meeting. The statement called
the U.S. remarks “undue interference and meddlesomeness,” since the president
had followed the provision of the Nigerian constitution granting him the power
to issue pardons.
Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it was urgently calling James P.
McAnulty, the U.S. deputy chief of mission, for a meeting. The statement called
the U.S. remarks “undue interference and meddlesomeness,” since the president
had followed the provision of the Nigerian constitution granting him the power
to issue pardons.
“The
ministry finally expressed the hope that the embassy of the United States of
America would henceforth desist from making unwarranted comments on Nigeria’s
internal affairs, which are capable of undermining the friendly relations that
exist between them,” the statement said.
ministry finally expressed the hope that the embassy of the United States of
America would henceforth desist from making unwarranted comments on Nigeria’s
internal affairs, which are capable of undermining the friendly relations that
exist between them,” the statement said.
The
search for the bodies of the seven hostages allegedly killed by Jama’atu
Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k. a Ansaru) has not yielded results.
search for the bodies of the seven hostages allegedly killed by Jama’atu
Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudan (a.k. a Ansaru) has not yielded results.
It was
also learnt that US drones are not in Nigeria to track down Boko Haram leaders.
also learnt that US drones are not in Nigeria to track down Boko Haram leaders.
A
Foreign Affairs Ministry source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The
Federal Government is aware that there are US drones in Niger Republic and not
in this country as being insinuated.
Foreign Affairs Ministry source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The
Federal Government is aware that there are US drones in Niger Republic and not
in this country as being insinuated.
“We
have not entered into any agreement with the US to establish a drone base in
this country.
have not entered into any agreement with the US to establish a drone base in
this country.
“We
understand the apprehension of some Nigerians because we share borders with
Niger Republic. So if the drones are patrolling towns and villages close to
Nigeria, people are bound to be concerned.”
understand the apprehension of some Nigerians because we share borders with
Niger Republic. So if the drones are patrolling towns and villages close to
Nigeria, people are bound to be concerned.”
The
search for the bodies of the seven hostages killed by Ansaru has not yielded
results.
search for the bodies of the seven hostages killed by Ansaru has not yielded
results.
Besides
Nigerian security agencies, all the foreign missions with nationals among the
hostages are carrying out investigations into where they were killed, what has
become of their bodies and how to retrieve the remains of the victims.
Nigerian security agencies, all the foreign missions with nationals among the
hostages are carrying out investigations into where they were killed, what has
become of their bodies and how to retrieve the remains of the victims.
Those
purportedly killed were three Lebanese and one each from Britain, Greece, Italy
and the Philippines.
purportedly killed were three Lebanese and one each from Britain, Greece, Italy
and the Philippines.
They
were all employees of SETRACO , a Lebanese construction company.
were all employees of SETRACO , a Lebanese construction company.
Also,
there were indications that the United Nations might float a peacekeeping
operation in Mali from July.
there were indications that the United Nations might float a peacekeeping
operation in Mali from July.
According
to the UN news service, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Operations, Edmond Mulet, gave the hint in Bamako on Saturday after a week-long
assessment visit to Mali.
to the UN news service, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping
Operations, Edmond Mulet, gave the hint in Bamako on Saturday after a week-long
assessment visit to Mali.
Mulet
said: “July could see the transfer of African-led International Support Mission
in Mali (AFISMA) to a UN stabilisation mission
said: “July could see the transfer of African-led International Support Mission
in Mali (AFISMA) to a UN stabilisation mission
“Any UN
force would be limited and focus on supporting the Malian authorities and
protecting civilians.
force would be limited and focus on supporting the Malian authorities and
protecting civilians.
“The
sovereignty of Mali is the main objective of this international support,” Mr.
Mulet said.
sovereignty of Mali is the main objective of this international support,” Mr.
Mulet said.
“It is
not to create a buffer between the north and the south. The members of the
Security Council and the member states are very clear on the need for Mali to
extend its authority over all its territory,” he added.
not to create a buffer between the north and the south. The members of the
Security Council and the member states are very clear on the need for Mali to
extend its authority over all its territory,” he added.
The
News Service said the 15-member UN Security Council would be required to vote
on any UN presence in the country.
News Service said the 15-member UN Security Council would be required to vote
on any UN presence in the country.
“That
authorization is likely to be up for debate following a report from
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon due on 27 March. Following Security Council
approval, it would take approximately another two month to deploy a force to
Mali,” the News Service added.
authorization is likely to be up for debate following a report from
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon due on 27 March. Following Security Council
approval, it would take approximately another two month to deploy a force to
Mali,” the News Service added.
Source: The Nation
