Nigeria, US renew commitment to anti-B’Haram campaign:

Nigeria and the United States have renewed their commitment to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.The two countries also expressed the determination to ensure credible elections in Nigeria in 2015 and as part of its effort, the U.S Government intends to send election security experts to share expertise and learn from the Nigerian experience.They stated this in a joint communiqué issued on Thursday after the meeting of the Third Session of the Regional Security Working Group of the Nigeria-United States Bi-national Commission in Abuja...

The communiqué jointly read by the leader of the Nigerian delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, and leader of the US delegation, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, recognised the importance of both countries maintaining strong bilateral ties.According to the communiqué, both countries deliberated on issues of mutual interests ranging from 2015 general elections, Boko Haram insurgency, election security, human rights, security governance initiative, accountability, rule of law and security sector leadership in Nigeria.

Both countries also expressed determination to advance good governance and civilian security leading to lasting peace, democracy and prosperity in Nigeria.It added that both countries agreed in principle to expand efforts to strengthen Nigerian security institutions through the Security Governance Initiative.“This initiative, announced by President Obama in August 2014, represents an opportunity to work together to strengthen security institutions to more effectively address the transnational and domestic threats that challenge social and economic progress,” the communiqué stated.It added that the Nigerian government was committed to ensuring that the Nigerian Armed Forces would have tools, equipment, and the leadership they need to be successful upon deployment, stressing that the US Government will continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to ensure that the military have the training and support structures they need to succeed.