The United States of America has clarified its position on the fight
against Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria, saying it has come to work
with Nigeria and not for Nigeria.
This was disclosed by Mrs Maria
E. Brewer, Deputy Missioner, US. Embassy, Abuja while responding to
audience question at the Hubert H.Humphrey 2014 Annual Lecture held at
the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.
In her
keynote address, Brewer, speaking under the theme, Managing Down
Insurgency:The American Experience, said that Nigeria is the United
States’ most important strategic partner in Africa and wants Nigeria to
win its war on terrorism.
She
said that the United States has learned that defeating terrorism
requires more than just military power, saying it requires economic
development in impoverished areas where extremism takes root, accessible
education opportunities for all and a free and fair press that can
report openly and without fear of reprisal.
Brewer
said, “Fighting terrorism requires civilian and military leaders to
work together to both defeat the enemy on the battle field and address
the root causes of conflict.
” Focussing primarily on the
population, rather than the enemy, and reinforcing the legitimacy of
governments at the local, state and federal levels, reduces the
influence of terrorists.
“This
can often only be achieved in concert with political reform to improve
the quality of governance and address the underlying grievances of the
community, many of which maybe legitimate,” she said.
Credit to Daily Post
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