WASHINGTON, Feb 7: The US has strongly condemned the recent terrorist acts by Boko Haram in Cameroon and Niger, a day after Niamey announced its plan of sending troops to Nigeria to fight the extremist outfit.
“Boko Haram has perpetrated countless unprovoked attacks on men, women, and children in their homes, schools, places of worship, and businesses. Their brutality and barbarism know no bounds,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said yesterday.
“We condemn the horrific and barbaric actions of these groups that continue to show total disregard for the sanctity of human life,” she said adding that the militant group must not be allowed to continue brutally terrorising innocent civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
This unchecked killing must stop. The US stands firmly with governments and peoples of this region in the face of this threat, she said.
“We are responding to requests from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. We continue to provide support to governments in the region, including through intelligence-sharing, and are increasing our support for those efforts,” Harf said.
The US is committed to supporting the efforts of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), she said.
“We commend efforts by the African Union and Lake Chad Basin Commission to bring together the MNJTF and we will continue to work with our regional and international partners to make it an effective force,” Harf said.
Regional efforts to counter Boko Haram, which has waged a six-year insurgency in Nigeria, intensified following its first attack in Niger.
Niger’s defence minister Mahamadou Karidjo said that 109 militants were killed yesterday, along with four soldiers and a civilian, reports said. (PTI)
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