BOKO HARAM: US Urges Nigerian FG to Respect Ceasefire

Deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, Ms. Marie Harf

Zacheaus Somorin with agency report
 
In its first statement since the declaration of a ceasefire between the Nigerian government and the terror group, Boko Haram, the United States government has urged both sides to adhere to the ceasefire accord.

The deputy spokesperson of the US State Department, Ms. Marie Harf, said on Tuesday in Washington, “It would be a thing of joy for the US government if the federal government and members of the Boko Haram sect maintained the ceasefire”.

Harf, who had confirmed the ceasefire Monday in Washington, added that if properly implemented by all the parties involved, it would herald the return of peace to the North-eastern Nigerian states, AFP reported.

“Both parties should do everything to ensure that the ceasefire deal becomes a reality. We confirm reports that a ceasefire has been announced and it appears to have been put into place.

“We would welcome that ceasefire, call on all parties both to implement and maintain such a ceasefire, and hope that such a ceasefire would herald the return of peace to the North-east. This is a region that has had far too little of that.

“It’s our understanding that negotiations about a deal to release the (Chibok) girls continue. Obviously, the US would join the world, I think, in hoping that these girls would be reunited with their families as soon as possible, but it’s our understanding those negotiations do continue,” she said.

The US official however made it known that there was no US involvement in the ceasefire talks or in the discussions. “I don’t believe so, but let me check. Not that I know of. But never say never; I’ll check,” she said.

Doubts have been raised since the federal government said on Friday that it had secured a deal with Boko Haram to free the girls captured in April and to end hostilities.

In the aftermath of Friday’s declaration by Nigeria’s military and presidency, however, reports of attacks continue to emerge, casting further doubts on the credibility of the ceasefire claim.

The Borno Elders’ Forum has said only one faction of Boko Haram had been involved in the deal.

With 80 US military personnel sent to neighbouring Chad for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the US is the biggest foreign participant in the effort against Boko Haram
which has terrorised parts of northern Nigeria.

Washington has also deployed surveillance drones, spy planes and about 30 civilian and military specialists to support Nigeria’s security forces.