US demands probe of killings in North

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

The United States on Tuesday urged Nigerians to “stand united” after a wave of attacks that killed about 186 people in Kano and Bauchi states.

US State Department spokeswoman, Victoria Nuland, in a statement, also urged the Nigerian authorities to fully investigate the attacks, including those against Christians, and hold accountable those who perpetrated them.

In “strongly” condemning the wave of attacks, Nuland said, “We call for a full investigation of the attacks and for those responsible to be held accountable.

“This is a time for all Nigerians to stand united against the enemies of civility and peace.

“Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity is a source of strength for the country and those who seek to undermine that strength with divisive tactics cannot succeed.”

She said Washington “remains strongly committed to working with Nigerian officials to find a way to bring peace to the North through both security and political responses.”

Nuland also said Washington wants “to work with the Nigerian government and others in the international community to promote greater economic development and long-term growth throughout northern Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the United States and Nigeria have agreed to explore and develop Nigeria’s intelligence fusion capability to counter extremist threats.

This was contained in a joint communiqué after the inauguration/meeting of the regional security cooperation working group under the aegis of the Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Mr. William Fitzgerald, signed the communiqué on behalf of the US while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, signed on behalf of Nigeria.

The two countries affirmed their commitment to the underlying principles that established the Nigeria-United States Bi-National Commission Framework.

They also agreed to regular evaluation of the Working Group’s goals and objectives.

The two countries also recognised that a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria, committed to the principles of good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights, was essential for national development.

The communiqué read in part, “Realising the importance of information sharing in effectively countering extremist threats, the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria committed to hold technical sub-working group meetings to explore the development of a Nigerian intelligence fusion capability.

“These talks will be coordinated through the US Embassy in Abuja, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant Nigerian Agencies.”

The two nations equally reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigeria security services.

This, they agreed, would be done through the identification of avenues that would enable them to respond appropriately to internal security challenges and other threats.

Areas of collaboration, according to the communique, will include training, intelligence sharing, and modernisation of the security services, logistics and other requirements.

The communiqué also read, “Nigeria and the United States governments resolved to participate in more sustained working-level engagement and cooperation on security matters, through the United States Embassy in Abuja, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant security agencies.”

The US delegation included officials from the State Department, the Department of Defence, and the US Agency for International Development.

On its part, the Nigerian delegation included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser, members of the Nigerian Armed forces, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security, and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission.

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