Washington (AFP) – Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari warned Washington on Wednesday that a US refusal to arm his troops because of “so-called human rights violations” only helps Boko Haram.
The 72-year-old former general has been warmly received in the US capital on his first visit since his March election raised hopes of reform in Africa’s troubled giant.
But he departs with little practical military assistance in his battle against the Islamist militants who have turned the northeast of his country into a bloody war zone.
The US government has vowed to help Nigeria defeat the insurgency but it is prohibited under law from sending weapons to countries that fail to tackle human rights abuses.
“Regretably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war,” he said.
Addressing an audience of policy-makers, activists and academics in Washington, Buhari complained that Nigerian forces had been left “largely impotent” in the face of Boko Haram’s campaign of kidnapping and bombings.
“They do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which we could have had if the so-called human rights violations had not been an obstacle,” he said.
“Unwittingly, and I dare say unintentionally, the application of the Leahy Law Amendment by the United States government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorists.”
He appealed to both the White House and the US Congress to find a way around the law — introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy in 1997 — and to supply his troops with high-tech weapons under a deal “with minimal strings.”
Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as a military strongman between 1983 and 1985, returned to office in March as the country’s first opposition challenger to defeat an incumbent in a largely fair poll.
His victory triggered a wave of optimism for oil-rich Nigeria, which has Africa’s biggest population and economy but many deep and seemingly intractable problems.
Since 2009, Boko Haram has been trying to establish an Islamist breakaway state in a conflict that has seen 15,000 people killed and 1.5 million displaced.
The group’s brutality and in particular the mass kidnapping and enslavement of schoolgirls has shocked world opinion, but Nigeria’s own security forces also face criticism.
In June, rights watchdog Amnesty International said there is sufficient evidence to launch an investigation into senior Nigerian officers for war crimes.
In a detailed 133-page report, the group blamed the army for the extrajudicial execution of 1,200 people and the torture or arbitrary detention of thousands more.
Buhari insists that the charges are not proven, but he has replaced his senior military commanders and has promised to investigate the allegations. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I thought GEJ was lying when he said US refused to sell weapons to Nig and also blocked their allies from selling to us too....APC used all this against GEJ,now Mr changer,change American policy to sell for you nah
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the alledged 1200 people compared to Rwanda's Kagame responsible for 6 million deaths in Congo? No Leahy law preventing the US from supplying weapons.
ReplyDeleteAPC and agents of change should tender a serious apology to GEJ for all the campaign of calumny against him.
ReplyDeleteThis is critical! If US can do this to us when we are in urgent need to salvage our dear Nigeria. Then we urgently need to define also our stand with them in no time and that they can enslave us to the total without a say. We must take decisive step at this critical moment. We should call back home our fellow Nigerians in US. And in a loud clear and sound voice send packing all US in our dear country, Nigeria, for enough is the mockery. Then we seek else where for our military weaponry. Even if it need to result to trade by barter as u 've once done in the past. And in the light of this, cancel all bilateral relations in economic/business with the US.
ReplyDeleteThis is critical! If US can do this to us when we are in urgent need to salvage our dear Nigeria. Then we urgently need to define also our stand with them in no time and that they can enslave us to the total without a say. We must take decisive step at this critical moment. We should call back home our fellow Nigerians in US. And in a loud clear and sound voice send packing all US in our dear country, Nigeria, for enough is the mockery. Then we seek else where for our military weaponry. Even if it need to result to trade by barter as u 've once done in the past. And in the light of this, cancel all bilateral relations in economic/business with the US.
ReplyDeleteTruth is beginning to show up,GEJ was crucified by APC lies Moh'd and now dey have seen d truth about US deal.Buhari has wasted money to US cos his aim has just been disappointed now.GEJ all d way.
ReplyDeleteArmy General..aka Mr change..shame on to you..only if u can offer ur ass for an exchange of weapons..bloody wanker....Please our presido, just marry Obama, Abel na. GEJ will live long.
ReplyDeleteArmy General..aka Mr change..shame on to you..only if u can offer ur ass for an exchange of weapons..bloody wanker..GEJ will live long..
ReplyDelete..So much news that Buhari was going to USA...
ReplyDeleteA country built on rule of law...
They do not support human rights violations.
On Jul 13, 2015 - New York City agreed to pay the estate of Eric Garner $5.9 million in a settlement from a lawsuit over his death in the hands of some cops...
Things like that dont happen in Nigeria...
The police and army in Nigeria kill citizens indiscriminately...even for a N50 bribe...
the white peoples read this stories, so they know our mentality...
mind you, the americans have a database on all persons that arrived with Buhari to washington.
....they new they were all bad guys...they dont invite bad guys to white house...
they dont even trust anything nigerian...a country from the dark continent of Africa
It is becoming clear to PMB what GEJ was facing in the hands of Obama. The refused to sell the high tech helicopters to Nigeria claiming we can't maintain it. Enough of these insult. PMB should see a better ally in China and Russia since Britain and the Europeans are more less Americans dummy.
ReplyDeleteHow time will prove GEJ right...APC was using this to campaign against him, now it is their turn..let's see if they will not fly cash to buy weapon in SA or Russia or boko Haram will use their North East to wipe their ass...Change mugus!
ReplyDeleteIf US refuse to help , we can look for else where. Places like ISRAEL are much more able.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck remains the best for Nigeria.Let us call him back to finish his second tenure. APC has deceived Nigerians. They have nothing to offer.
ReplyDelete