The United States says it is working with the Economic Community of the West African States ECOWAS, to provide effective security in the region and to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria’s security forces towards tackling challenges of insecurity on Lake Chad.
US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken made this known on Tuesday during his joint Press briefing with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar at the State House Abuja.
Blinken also said that the US is intensely focused on challenges of insecurity in the Sahel region following its impact on ECOWAS Member countries and the broader impact on the US
He added that the US hopes to make a difference in restoring constitutional order and solutions to the security challenges in Niger Republic as well as the region.
The US Secretary of State acknowledged the efforts of the ECOWAS Chairman, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on addressing the political impasse in Niger Republic, he added that the US would present a comprehensive approach that would genuinely focus on citizen security in the region.
“We are intensely focused on challenges of insecurity in the region in the Sahel, we are intensely focused because of the impact that it’s having on our friends and partners, intensely focused because of the broader impact that insecurity can have on all of us within the United States, We hope to make a difference in restoring the constitutional order and restoring a critical partner in trying to find security in the region.
Blinken further stressed that the US is strengthening partnerships with Nigeria on the challenges in the Lake Chad region to specifically brazen the capacity of Nigeria’s security forces in diverse ways.
“One thing I can also say is this, some countries have looked to various ways of providing security, including going to partners like the ECOWAS. What we’ve seen is the problem getting worse. You see the exploitation of people and resources by Wagner was seen, violence, extremism, and operations rates go up dramatically. Having said that, it’s important that we be working to support our partners who are trying to find effective ways of providing security and we are working to support Nigeria and our Lake Chad region partners, to strengthen the capacity of their security forces in a whole variety of ways to deal with insecurity.
He added that the US is also supporting through diplomacy and technological equipment.
“And yes, that does go to equipment and technology for weapons and we’re working on that but it also goes to many other things including information sharing, intelligence, technical support, advice, and it goes to having a comprehensive approach that genuinely focuses on citizen security, working with local communities, in partnership, demonstrating the security forces that are there, first and foremost, to protect them and to support their needs.
“By the way, that was an approach that was delivering results in Niger when President Bazoum was in office before he was deposed in a coup and every place where there’s been an unconstitutional change of leadership, as I said, things have only gotten worse. So when you look at what we are doing, we’re assisting in a variety of means through our diplomacy.
“Engaging with other countries through our security systems, through police and military justice programmes, reforms, which are vital through dialogue efforts through development programs, all of these things work hand in hand.
“Now, it’s also vitally important from our perspective that there’ll be a focus on making sure that civilians are protected and that humanitarian considerations be taken into consideration and concern.
“As all of these efforts are underway, and that’s part of our dialogue and conversation too, with our partners in Nigeria, and elsewhere in the region,”Blinken added
Dominica Nwabufo
