US Classifies Boko Harm, Ansaru As Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The United States, yesterday, formally declared war on
Boko Haram, classifying the terror group believed to
have ties with al-Qaeda, a Foreign Terrorist
Organization (FTO).
A statement issued by the US State Department,
yesterday, in Washington, said the US government was
invoking Section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended, and section 1(b) of
Executive Order 13224 to designate Boko Haram and
Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
The Federal Government which had hitherto mounted
pressure on the US against taking such action, also
issued a statement through Nigeria's Ambassador to the
US to explain why it accepted the US classification of
Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist groups.
According to Ambassador Ade Adefuye, the decision to
declare Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist
Organizations, was taken at a meeting at the State
Department on Friday, November 8, 2013, and they
took immediate steps to inform the authorities in
Abuja.
"For the past couple of months, this embassy
successfully countered pressures from religious
organizations and politicians both in Nigeria and the US
on the American government to make this declaration.
Our belief then was that the twin-track approach of
enforcement and dialogue adopted by the Nigerian
Government would make Boko Haram see reason.
Regrettably, the continued intransigence of the sect
compelled our government to proscribe the organization
on June 4, 2013," Adefuye said.
The Federal government said its earlier opposition of
the designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as FTOs by
the US was "because of the wider implication and
exposure to stringent measures that such actions will
impose on ordinary Nigerians". But the State
Department said its assistance to Nigeria stresses the
importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that
human rights are respected. It said designation of these
groups as FTOs demonstrates U.S. support for the
Nigerian people's fight against Boko Haram and
Ansaru.
Ambassador Adefuye said: "We have taken note of the
statement by host authorities that the latest action is
meant to enhance further co-operation between Nigeria
and the US in tackling this issue. The Government of
Nigeria remains committed to bringing to an end the
atrocities of Boko Haram in collaboration with our
foreign partners."
Activities of the radical Islamic sects have become
worrisome to the United States and other countries that
are uncomfortable with Boko Haram, which has been
responsible for the death of thousands of civilians and
security personnel across religious divides in North-East
and central Nigeria since it commenced its campaign in
2002. Also operating in Nigeria, Ansaru is a Boko
Haram splinter faction that earlier in 2013 kidnapped
and executed seven international construction workers.
Diplomatic sources said the designation of Boko Haram
and Ansaru as FTOs is "an important and appropriate
step, but just a step in a comprehensive approach by the
Nigerian government to counter these groups through a
combination of law enforcement, political, and
development efforts, as well as military engagement, to
help root out violent extremism."