BOKO HARAM: US tasks Nigeria on rights abuse probe, pledges $45.5m for N’East rebuilding

The United States government says it will contribute an additional $45.5 million to rehabilitation efforts in the North-East, while also calling on the Nigerian government to probe human rights abuses in the fight against Boko Haram.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, said this at the Nigeria-U.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan said “transparent and credible” inquiries into violations and prosecutions were needed to help heal wounds in the devastated region.

“This is essential to deepening the people’s trust of the government, strengthening security efforts in the northeast and improving the United States’ ability to partner with Nigeria,” he said.

Sullivan commended Nigeria’s rehabilitation efforts and announced the US government’s financial pledge which he said they hoped would contribute meaningfully to existing efforts, saying, “We are encouraged by Nigeria’s recent steps to establish a North-East Development Commission which could enable many of those displaced by conflicts restart their lives.

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“I am proud to announce that the United States, through our colleagues at USAID, will contribute an additional $45.5 million to support stabilisation and early recovery efforts to help those who have been affected by violence in the northeast to rebuild their lives.’’

Sullivan called for enhanced cooperation between government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and community leaders to “create a doable, socio-economic and political infrastructure to support lasting peace and development”.

“That must include transparent and credible investigation of human rights violations and mechanisms to hold those found guilty accountable for their actions.

“This is essential to deepening the people’s trust of government, strengthening security efforts in the northeast and approving the United States ability to partner with Nigeria”, he said.

He advised government to make efforts towards all-inclusive economic growth, reiterating his government’s commitment to Nigeria’s economic success.

According to him, the U.S. will inaugurate a commercial and investment dialogue to strengthen economic ties between both countries.

Sullivan said that the U.S. Government, through its Power Africa initiative, would also help support the federal government’s efforts at improving electricity access to citizens in the country.

“Another key aspect of our shared prosperity is having the energy resources that are needed to fuel growth.

“I am pleased to announce today a 1.3 million-dollar project to address the shortage of gas available for gas fire power plants under the Power Africa initiative through the Department of State’s Power Sector programme.”

On elections, the U.S. official advised the federal government to build on the successes recorded in the 2015 general elections ahead of the 2019 elections, adding that the U.S. would avail the country of its support.

“Free, fair and peaceful 2019 elections at both the federal and state levels are fundamental to our continued partnership”, he said.

Speaking on stolen assets recovery effort, Sullivan said that the U.S. would continue to work “closely with the government of Nigeria on repatriating stolen assets to the people of Nigeria” to support the fight against corruption.

He said his government would continue to support Nigeria in other development programmes to engender progress in the education and health sectors.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the federal government had approved the establishment of the North-East Development Commission as part of measures to sustain peace and development in the country.

Onyeama recalled that important achievements had been recorded since the inception of the Bi-National Commission in 2010.

“The achievements recorded under the platform of this BNC since its inception in April 2010, covers several areas such as security, aviation, trade and investment, economic development, good governance, and power among others”, he said.

Onyeama revealed that the Bi-National Commission meeting would focus on security cooperation, economic growth and shared prosperity.

 

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