Boko Haram remains a threat to us — US lawmakers

The United States’ House of
Representatives has said that Boko
Haram is still a threat to the
American country.
At a hearing held on Friday by the
House Foreign Affairs Committee,
while passing the amendment to
the National Defence Authorisation
Act to combat Boko Haram, the US’
lawmakers stated that the
insurgents’ activities could not be
ignored despite the heat they
currently are experiencing from the
Nigerian troops.
The Chairman of the committee, Ed
Royce, said, “Boko Haram is
notorious for their vicious
kidnappings, killings, and pillaging
throughout northern Nigeria. But
the story is beginning to change –
these terrorists are starting to feel
some heat. The Nigerian military
has higher morale, and the Africa
Union task force is cutting off Boko
Haram’s supply lines and
reclaiming towns. The pieces are
coming into place to destroy this
terrorist group; the forces fighting
Boko Haram just need crucial
support to get the job done.
Passing this amendment reaffirms
US’ support for the forces on the
front lines combating Boko Haram.”
Another member of the committee,
Carolyn Maloney noted that the
Islamist group needed to be dealt
with completely.
Maloney said, “I am proud to stand
with Chairman Royce in support of
his amendment to clearly affirm
that Boko Haram presents a threat
not just to one nation, but to the
world. Combatting Boko Haram is
and should remain a national
security priority – and we must
remain vigilant in fighting this
enemy.”
The amended act titled, ‘Report on
United States efforts to combat
Boko Haram and support regional
allies and other partners’, the US’
lawmakers noted that since the
terrorist group remains a national
security threat to the country,
Washington should continue to
work closely with all its allies in
combating the insurgents.
“Combating Boko Haram is in the
national security interest of the
United States; the United States
should support regional partners,
including the African Union-
authorised Multinational Joint Task
Force, through training and advice
and the provision of key enablers
to strengthen operations against
Boko Haram.
“Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Defence and the
Secretary of State shall jointly
submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report
on an assessment of the threat of
Boko Haram to United States
national security interests; a
description of United States’ efforts
to combat Boko Haram, including
the authorities to carry out such
efforts and the roles and missions
of the Department of Defence and
Department of State; a description
of military equipment, supplies,
training, and other defence articles
and services, including by type,
quantity, and prioritisation of such
items, required to combat Boko
Haram effectively and the gaps
within regional allies to engage in
the mission to combat Boko
Haram,” the report said.
The House committee also asked
the US government to provide the
list of military equipment, supplies,
training, and other defence articles
and services that the government
had provided, “is providing, and
plans to provide to regional allies
and other partners to combat Boko
Haram.