We don't talk to BH. Ah, yes we do.
For months the Nigerian government has denied being in talks with Boko Haram, over the kidnapped schoolgirls in particular. Now it appears they have been talking, with the Red Cross visiting jails to identify those to be "swooped". Now whether this is a real success is arguable.
Link:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...ire-deal.html?
Nigerian Government Calls Halt to U.S. Training for Army
I knew it would come to this, they'll probably seek the services/advice or Sri Lanka, Russia, North Korea or China - people who use the same brutal methods they are comfortable with.
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The U.S. is cutting short a training program for Nigerian soldiers following a request by the West African nation’s government less than a month after Washington said it refused to sell the country Cobra attack helicopters.
“At the request of the Nigerian government, the United States will discontinue its training of a Nigerian Army battalion,” the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Abuja, said in an e-mailed statement. The program was designed to help Nigeria battle the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
The U.S. turned down the helicopter request “due to concerns about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain this type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram and ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in Washington on Nov. 12.
Nigeria’s military, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, is struggling to deal with intensifying attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.The insurgents have killed more than 13,000 people since 2009, according to Jonathan. Suspected Boko Haram members carried out two attacks on cities in Nigeria’s northeast today, killing at least five people.
“We regret premature termination of this training, as it was to be the first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units with the goal of helping the Nigerian Army build capacity to counter Boko Haram,” the embassy said.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/201...tml#disqus-tab
Nigeria Troops Sentenced To Death For Cowardice
Nigeria Troops Sentenced To Death For Cowardice
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Fifty-four members of Nigeria's special forces have been sentenced to death for mutiny and cowardice after refusing to take part in a raid against Islamist group Boko Haram.
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Nigerian troops have long complained they lack the firepower to fight Boko Haram and say they are often abandoned with little food and ammunition.
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In recent weeks special forces have recaptured at least four towns with help from air raids and vigilantes.
Boko Haram embraces Islamic State model for extremist jihad
A Washington Times article that relies on two US-based analysts to make its argument:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...el-for-extrem/
African help OK; from the West no thanks
Once again Chad's military are likely to fight next door, this time in the Cameroon; previously they have been in Mali and the CAR - each time they left after criticism, if downright public opposition to their presence.
Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/...KP05V20150116?
Earlier today a former British defence adviser in Nigeria, in a BBC radio interview, dismissed proposed external assistance to Nigeria's military would either help or be asked for.
Nigeria 2015: analysis of election issues and future prospects
The authors of this paper are:
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The House of Commons Library provides research, analysis and information services for MPs and their staff.
What does the paper aim to do?:
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This paper looks at the multiple challenges facing Nigeria as it prepares for presidential and legislative elections on 14 February 2015. These elections will take place amidst an atmosphere of even greater crisis and uncertainty than usual. Boko Haram’s insurgency in the north of the country continues unabated. Over the last year, President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling People’s Democratic Party have been accused of a complacent and incompetent response to the insurgency.
These developments, combined with deep divisions within the country’s elite, have resurrected old fears that the country might break up if the election aftermath is poorly handled.
However, some observers remain remarkably hopeful about Nigeria’s future, predicting that its enormous economic potential is on the verge of being realised at last.
The paper surveys the coming elections and then explores these hopes and fears about Nigeria’s future. It goes on to describe Nigeria’s relationships with the US, UK, EU, China and India before ending with a detailed country profile of Nigeria.
Link to 90 pg. report:http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-pa...ture-prospects
Ghanaian president backs regional anti-Boko Haram force
http://www.dw.de/ghanaian-president-...rce/a-18202555
Ghanaian president backs regional anti-Boko Haram force
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During a visit to Germany, President John Mahama of Ghana has called for an African Union-mandated force to "deal with the menace" of Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
It is finally getting to the point that countries in the region are pushing for collective action against BH. Read another report that some are questioning if it is even possible to have a legitimate election when so much territory is under BH control. However, I have seen no reports on elections being delayed.