Nigeria and the United States have renewed their commitment to combat the Boko Haram insurgency.
The two countries also expressed the
determination to ensure credible elections in Nigeria in 2015 and as
part of its effort, the U.S Government intends to send election security
experts to share expertise and learn from the Nigerian experience.
The communiqué jointly read by the
leader of the Nigerian delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, and leader of
the US delegation, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs,
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, recognised the importance of both countries
maintaining strong bilateral ties.
According to the communiqué, both
countries deliberated on issues of mutual interests ranging from 2015
general elections, Boko Haram insurgency, election security, human
rights, security governance initiative, accountability, rule of law and
security sector leadership in Nigeria.
Both countries also expressed
determination to advance good governance and civilian security leading
to lasting peace, democracy and prosperity in Nigeria.
It added that both countries agreed in
principle to expand efforts to strengthen Nigerian security institutions
through the Security Governance Initiative.
“This initiative, announced by President
Obama in August 2014, represents an opportunity to work together to
strengthen security institutions to more effectively address the
transnational and domestic threats that challenge social and economic
progress,” the communiqué stated.
It added that the Nigerian government
was committed to ensuring that the Nigerian Armed Forces would have
tools, equipment, and the leadership they need to be successful upon
deployment, stressing that the US Government will continue to support
Nigeria’s efforts to ensure that the military have the training and
support structures they need to succeed.
