US House passes Boko Haram bill

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would lead to a five-year strategy to help Nigeria in the war against the Boko Haram militant group.

The bill would require the Departments of State and Defence to work with Nigeria militarily and in countering radical ideology.

It proposes a more deliberate and structured US effort in supporting its partners in the Lake Chad Basin.

It proposes urgent military and humanitarian support but is also aimed at helping Nigeria and its neighbours investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by their security forces.

The US has withheld some support because of Nigeria’s human rights record.

Means of countering jihadist recruitment and radicalisation also feature high on the agenda, as well as, providing safe schools for children.

The bill still needs to be signed into law by the US president but its success will depend partly on the willingness of the local authorities to implement the proposed measures.

Despite a military campaign by the Multinational Joint Task Force, Boko Haram is still carrying out attacks across the region.

The UN says it has caused Africa’s biggest humanitarian crisis and five million people are at risk of facing severe food shortages, as a result, over the next year.