Buhari Says US Silence Is “Aiding and Abetting” Boko Haram

Buhari has stated that the US’ stand on not selling arms to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram is damaging to Nigeria and is an indirect assistance to the terrorist group.

A US law called the Leahy Law prevents the US Government from selling arms to countries which fail to tackle human rights abuses. President Buhari made the accusation while addressing members of the US Institute of Peace yesterday July 22nd:

In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new Government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours other international friends and partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents. Our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so-called human rights violations not been an obstacle. Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy Law amendment by the U. S. Government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes.