U.S. announces additional $45.5m support for North East

The United States government has announced $45.5 million as an additional aid to support Nigeria’s stabilisation and early recovery efforts to help those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr John Sullivan, announced this on Monday during the meeting of the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Abuja.

The meeting, which was co-chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and Mr Sullivan who said the United States remains committed to helping Nigeria fight Boko Haram terrorists.

He, however, said its leaders must work together to create a durable social, economic, and political infrastructure to support lasting peace and development.

Sullivan said his country would continue to collaborate with the African nation to harness the power of agriculture to jumpstart the economy and provide more opportunity for Nigerians.

He also promised that the United States would continue to work closely with Nigeria on repatriation of stolen assets, and would be co-hosting the global forum on asset recovery in December.

Mr Onyeama, in his address, thanked the U.S. government on behalf of the Federal Government for its continuous support for Nigeria.

A communiqué, jointly signed by Onyeama and Sullivan, was issued after the meeting which focused on security cooperation, economic growth and development, as well as governance and democracy.

The full statement below:

Prior to this year’s BNC, in their February 13, 2017 call and their September 20, 2017 lunch event at the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald J. Trump and President Muhammadu Buhari recalled the enduring bonds between the peoples of the United States and Nigeria. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the U.S.-Nigeria partnership in a manner that promotes a future of shared prosperity for both nations.

In their February 17, 2017 call, President Buhari and U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson decided to utilise the BNC as the high-level strategic platform through which to advance the nations’ shared goals.

Joint Goals

Recognising Nigeria’s strengthening democracy, its large population and dynamic economy, and its importance as a peace-builder and peacekeeper, both nations seek to capitalise on areas of shared interest.  The United States is expected to benefit from Nigeria’s leadership in promoting security, stability, and democracy on a continent brimming with emerging opportunities for U.S. trade and investment; Nigeria is expected to benefit from U.S. political support, security cooperation, technology, financial resources, and humanitarian and development assistance.  The two countries developed a detailed agenda to guide discussions on a proposed goals paper, which would identify bilateral efforts for the next year.  The November 20 BNC directed existing working groups for each of the three focus areas to finalise individual goal papers within one month.

Security Cooperation

The BNC’s discussion on security cooperation was co-chaired by Minister of Defense General Mansur Mohammed Dan Ali Leads, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Michelle Lenihan, U.S. Department of Defense and Brigadier General Frank Stokes, U.S. Africa Command.

The BNC noted the continued threat to peace and security posed by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.  The United States reaffirmed its support for Nigeria and its Lake Chad neighbours in countering these threats.

The BNC noted that U.S.-Nigeria bilateral security cooperation focuses both on immediate threats and medium- and long-term security and stabilisation objectives.  The BNC discussed progress toward the sale to Nigeria of A-29 light attack aircraft and associated training, and other areas of enhanced security cooperation.

The BNC jointly determined to take further actions to advance U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation to promote peace and security in Nigeria, especially in Northeast Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad region.  Both sides recognised that this cooperation includes, but is not limited to, military cooperation.

The BNC discussed the coordinated, comprehensive response that is needed to bring sustainable peace to Nigeria’s Northeast region, including the humanitarian response; restoring civilian security, establishing effective governance to deliver essential services, and reviving moribund economies in areas liberated from terrorists; encouraging defections from Boko Haram and ISIS–West Africa; transferring military detainees to civilian correction facilities; eliminating terrorist financing; expanding intelligence sharing; conducting integrated planning for the restoration of full civilian authority, resettlement, and reconstruction; protecting civilians, safeguarding human rights, ensuring credible investigations, and prioritising accountability for instances of security force abuses; ending the use of child soldiers and implementing a United Nations-backed action plan on this matter in a timely manner; and addressing the long-standing concerns of citizens in the Northeast, including with respect to economic opportunity.

The BNC discussed the unsustainable situation of internally displaced persons in Nigeria and refugees in the region, and the Governments committed to working together to create conditions for their safe, dignified, and voluntary returns.  The BNC acknowledged the significant contributions of the United States in supporting humanitarian assistance.  The BNC discussed Nigerian efforts to help those affected by the violence begin to rebuild their lives and the announcement of $45.5 million in additional U.S. assistance to support stabilisation and early recovery work in Nigeria’s Northeast region.  This effort is expected to include the creation and launch of a specialised stabilisation police unit trained and equipped to be capable of accomplishing higher-risk policing tasks for civilian security in former terrorist-controlled territories.

The BNC discussed longer-term security cooperation goals, including Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its security institutions and U.S.-Nigerian partnership on improving maritime security.  The BNC discussed peacekeeping as well, and Nigeria underlined its intention to maintain its significant contributions to international peacekeeping in Sudan, Somalia, Mali, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau.

The BNC directed the Working Group on Security Cooperation to meet within six months to review progress on joint goals.

Economic Growth and Development

The BNC’s discussion on economic growth and development was co-chaired by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Okechukwu Elenamah, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Peter Haas and Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator Christopher Runyan, U.S. Agency for International Development.

Both sides decided to hold the next U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks in the first part of 2018 and to work to finalise an agenda for that meeting, to include a decision on a joint work plan on intellectual property protection.  The two sides finalised a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Commercial and Investment Dialogue signed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Okechukwu Enelamah as a way to strategically engage the private sectors of each country in strengthening commercial ties.

Both sides acknowledged the importance of and potential for increased bilateral trade and investment through enhancing the business climate, policy predictability, and transparency.  The two sides discussed the importance of implementing World Trade Organisation-consistent trade measures, as well as the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

The BNC noted the Governments’ decision to take further actions to promote inclusive prosperity and growth, economic diversification, and job creation through policies that are expected to improve the environment for doing business together.  In this respect, the BNC recognised that sound fiscal and monetary policies, complemented by structural reforms and clear and transparent regulations, are important to managing the challenges of volatile global oil prices.  The BNC also noted the importance of further diversifying the sources of government revenue.

The BNC noted the Governments’ pledge to work together to ensure maximum utilisation of available tools to promote mutually beneficial trade and investment, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

The BNC recognised the importance of infrastructure development for Nigerian economic growth, noting particularly the importance of ensuring open and transparent bidding procedures for infrastructure projects.  The BNC also noted the importance of increasing access to electricity, including through the continued modernisation of the power sector, and noted continued U.S. assistance in this area.  With respect to economic diversification, the BNC noted the potential for expanded agricultural investment and production, in particular through strengthening agro-business value chains.  The extractive industries, including solid minerals, petroleum, and natural gas, also continue to play a role in economic diversification.

The BNC directed the Working Group on Economic Growth and Development to meet within six months to review progress on joint goals.

Governance and Democracy

The BNC’s discussion on governance and democracy was co-chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami Leads, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Stephanie Sullivan.

The BNC noted the historical importance of Nigeria’s 2015 elections and the peaceful transition that ensued.  The United States noted its intention to support Nigerian efforts to improve the quality and transparency of elections, particularly in the lead-up to the 2019 elections, and looks to Nigeria to continue to support democracy and peaceful transitions of power across Africa.

The BNC decided to strengthen U.S.-Nigerian joint efforts in support of good governance, respect for human rights, accountability, anti-corruption, and the effective use and delivery of public services, including efforts to reinforce peacebuilding and conflict management in Nigeria.

The BNC concurred that the Government of the United States should continue its support for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-corruption agencies, as appropriate.  The BNC discussed Nigeria’s participation in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and its potential to complement Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.  Nigeria expressed its dedication to robustly implement its 2017-2019 OGP commitments and respond to an outstanding invitation to join the Partnership on Illicit Finance in due course.

The BNC noted the Governments’ decision to intensify their work together to help Nigeria trace funds and assets stolen through corruption and other illicit activities and seek to recover the assets.

The BNC decided to expand people-to-people contacts between the two countries, including continuing efforts such as the Young African Leaders Initiative.

The BNC discussed multilateral cooperation, through ECOWAS, the United Nations, and other international organisations, and Nigeria’s role as a leader on the continent and a critical partner to the United States on a range of global issues.

The BNC directed the Working Group on Governance and Democracy to meet within six months to review progress on joint goals.

Vote of Thanks and Next Meeting

The Government of the United States thanked the Government of Nigeria for hosting the meeting of the BNC.  It was determined that the next meeting of the full BNC should be held in the United States within one year, at a date to be mutually decided through diplomatic channels.