Apparently worried by the increasing activities of Boko Haram not only in Nigeria but in other African countries, President Barack Obama and the U.S. government are now taking the threat posed by the group more seriously and they are already considering military options, including the deployment of drones and spy planes.
At the weekend, President Obama under War Powers Resolution of the U.S. Public Law, increased the number of American military personnel deployed to Nigeria's border country, Niger, to 100, just about a week after the incoming Commander of the U. S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. David M. Rodriguez of the U.S. Army, confirmed that Boko Haram operations now cut across Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger, Mali and Chad.
U.S. local media had reported about the same time that the deployment of U.S. military to Niger is with the intention of setting up a drone base to gather intelligence without ruling out drone attacks against terrorists in Mali and Nigeria.
In an even more categorical statement, Gen. Rodriguez disclosed that the U.S. military already had sufficient legal authorisation to go after Boko Haram's operatives in Nigeria or in the African region based on existing military authorisations against Al-Qaeda.
In a February 22 letter to the leaders of the U.S. Congress, made available to The Guardian yesterday, Obama confirmed that by February 20, 2013, "the last elements of a deployment of approximately 40 additional U.S. military personnel entered Niger with the consent of the Government of Niger."
According to Obama in the letter he personally signed, "this deployment will provide support for intelligence collection and will also facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in Mali, and with other partners in the region. The total number of U.S. military personnel deployed in Niger is approximately 100. The recently deployed forces have ... weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security."
While Obama's letter indicated that the American troops would help with intelligence, it did not specifically mention the controversial use of drones for which the U.S. government has attracted both military success and criticism in recent years.
But a Washington Post report of the President's letter at the weekend said the U.S. base in Niamey, Niger, with about 100 U.S. troops, "have been deployed to set up a drone base to support French-led military operation."
The paper added, quoting U.S. defence officials that drone flights were "imminent" from Niger.
The letter required under America's system of checks and balances then concluded: "I directed this deployment of U.S. forces in furtherance of U.S. national security interests, and pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
"I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action."
The Guardian has obtained a policy statement of the incoming Commander of the U.S. AFRICOM meant for use while answering questions last week at a Congressional confirmation hearing by the U.S. Senate.
In the advance talking points made available to the public, the incoming Commander, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, said regarding the potential of a U.S. military strike against Boko Haram, "the current legal authorities, including the Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism operations and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for operations in the AFRICOM area of responsibility."
Similarly, Obama's nominee as new Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director also confirmed that U.S. readiness to use military force against terrorists around the world is not limited by geographic limitations. He spoke last week also at a Senate Intelligence confirmation hearing.
He said: " The current legal authorities, including the Authorisation for Use of Military Force to conduct counter-terrorism operations and activities against Boko Haram appear to be sufficient for operations in the AFRICOM area of responsibility. However, the Authorisation for Use of Military Force has been in place for 12 years and al-Qaeda has dispersed and operates in areas far from the original battlefield.
"Given the evolutionary changes in the global security landscape, I intend to continuously review the current intelligence on Boko Haram and assess whether the existing authorities are sufficient to take all necessary actions."
Observers of the U.S. Military say with the rise in Boko Haram's and other terrorist groups' attacks on westerners in Nigeria and neighbouring countries such a toughening of stance complete with the addition of U.S. troops in Niger are indicative of a readiness of the U.S. to send clear warning signals to Boko Haram operatives and sponsors.
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