ICC Note: After freeing 100 children from the clutches of Boko Haram, the United States is considering relaxing or completely removing the ban on selling weapons to Nigeria. While combatting Boko Haram, the Nigerian army has been accused of committing war crimes, including killing 8,000 civilians in the offensive against Boko Haram. Recently inaugurated Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari stated that he will investigate these killings. The Nigerian president has implored the U.S. government to aid Nigeria in defeating Boko Haram.
Ludovica Iaccino
8/04/15, Nigeria (International Business Times) – The US government is considering the lift of a ban on weapons sale to Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari said the restriction prevents the army from defeating terror group Boko Haram. The leader made the comment after he met with US president Barack Obama, who pledged more support to help Nigeria defeat terrorism and corruption.
Buhari criticised the US Leahy Law, which forbids the US government from providing military assistance or funding to countries that commit – or are suspected of committing – gross human rights abuses with impunity. US Congressman Darrell Edward Issa told military authorities in the Nigerian capital Abuja that the US is discussing whether to relax or completely lift the ban to improve Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram, which has killed more than 13,000 people since its insurgence became violent in 2009.
“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has begun the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed,” Issa was quoted by The News as saying.
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