ASSISTANT SECRETARY THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you very much.
Chairman Smith, Chairman Poe, Ranking Member Bass, Ranking Member Sherman, other members
of the Committee, let me thank you for this opportunity to update you about our policy
in Nigeria and specifically on our efforts to help Nigeria counter the threat of Boko
Haram and other associated violent extremist groups.
I will provide a full copy of my written testimony so this will be somewhat abbreviated so that
I leave enough time to take questions.
Chairman Smith and Chairman Poe, instability in Nigeria is of direct concern to the United
States.
Nigeria is one of our most important partners in Africa.
It is home to an estimated 170 million people, making it the most populous country in Africa
and the seventh most populous country in the world.
Nigeria has the 22nd fastest-growing economy in the world, the 13th largest supplier of
oil to the global market, and the second largest destination for U.S. private investment in
Africa.
Nigeria is also the second largest African contributor to UN peacekeeping operations
around the world, not just in Africa but around the world, and we welcome Nigeria's participation
on the UN Security Council beginning in January.
The significant mutual interests we share with Nigeria have led us to build a robust
bilateral relationship, which we have deepened and broadened through the U.S.-Nigeria Binational
Commission.
We meet regularly with senior Nigerian officials.
President Obama met with President Jonathan in New York in September, on the margins of
the UN General Assembly.
Under Secretary Sherman led a large interagency U.S. delegation to Abuja in mid-August to
discuss civilian security with senior Nigerian civilian and military leaders, including President
Jonathan and National Security Advisor Dasuki.
I will be traveling, myself, to Nigeria in December and hope to have meetings at those
same levels.
Additionally, I would like to thank you, Congressman Smith, for your visit to Nigeria in September
to meet with Nigerians affected by Boko Haram's violence.
It is through these engagements, ours and yours, that we are able to translate our partnership
into mutual action to advance opportunities and to address the threat that Boko Haram
poses.
Boko Haram and associated violent extremist groups, such as the faction known as Ansaru,
that you all described in so much detail to us, pose a threat to Nigeria's stability.
These groups attack the Nigerian Government, they attack the military, they attack ordinary
citizens of all walks of life, including numerous Christians and but even greater number of
Muslims.
Their actions have increased tensions between ethnic communities, it's interrupted development,
frightened investors, and alarmed Nigeria's neighbors.
Boko Haram and associated groups can strike Nigeria's neighbors and it targets foreigners.
Their unspeakable violence has killed too many Nigerians to even count, as we saw during
September, when attacks in Benisheikh shot more than 160 people and in Yobe, where you
described earlier, more than 50 innocent students lost their lives.
In August 2011, a suicide bomber from Boko Haram attacked the United Nations headquarters
in Nigeria's capital Abuja.
On February 19 of this year, Boko Haram kidnapped 7 French tourists in Cameroon.
And although Boko Haram has directed most of its violence and rhetoric at Nigerian targets,
reports of linkages between Boko Haram and Al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, are
very worrisome for us and for the Nigerians.
Boko Haram's violence also comes at a time of uncertainty and tension for Nigeria.
Preparations for the country's 2015 elections have already begun, and political realignments
are adding to existing tensions.
In the oil-producing Niger Delta region, thieves steal at least 100,000 barrels of oil per
day and perhaps more.
This theft reduces government revenues, it fuels corruption and international crime,
and it contributes to environmental degradation.
Corruption hinders the country's efforts to enforce rule of law, to attract investment,
and expand infrastructure.
Good governance, healthy political competition, equitable economic growth would go a long
way to address all of these challenges.
And the strategy of countering Boko Haram should be, in other words, it should be holistic.
The government needs to not only stop Boko Haram's attacks, but address longstanding
grievances of law-abiding northern Nigerians about government corruption and unfairness
that attracts disaffected youth to Boko Haram.
Military and law enforcement efforts are necessary, but they alone are not - are insufficient
to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram and associated violent extremist groups.
In the long run, reducing Boko Haram's ability to recruit is just as important as degrading
its capabilities.
Nigeria must protect civilians, it must guarantee human rights, and ensure accountability in
instances where government officials and security forces violate those rights.
Nigeria must demonstrate to all Nigerians that government can be and must be the sole,
trusted arbiter of justice in their country.
The United States is committed to helping the Nigerian Government and people counter
the threat of Boko Haram.
In June 2012, the State Department designated Boko Haram's top commanders as Specially Designated
Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.
In June 2013, the State Department added Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram's official leader, to our
Rewards for Justice Program.
I am pleased to inform you, as designated earlier, I'm pleased to also announce, that
the United States has taken additional steps to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram
and Ansaru.
Earlier today, the State Department designated both as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under
Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and as Specially Designated
Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.
We took this step after very careful consideration and I know that you think it was too long,
but we did make sure that we got it right.
We anticipate that this designation will empower U.S. law enforcement and the Treasury Department
with additional tools to pursue these violent extremist organizations.
We believe this designation is an important and appropriate step, but again it is only
one tool in what we believe must be a comprehensive approach toward addressing the Boko Haram
threat.
We are committed to assisting Nigeria in bolstering its law enforcement capabilities and ultimately
in shifting to what we believe to be an integrated civilian security-focused strategy to counter
Boko Haram and Ansaru in a manner that adheres to the rule of law and ensures accountability
and diminishes the ability of Boko Haram's appeal and legitimacy to civilian populations.
The United States recognizes that the Nigerian Government and security forces face a difficult
challenge in countering the Boko Haram insurgency.
Both ordinary citizens and security forces have suffered.
Still, we are concerned by reports that some Nigerian security forces have committed gross
human rights violations in response to Boko Haram.
Not only because the approach is wrong, but because it is counterproductive.
We have raised this concern with the government of Nigeria at the highest levels.
And while Northern Nigerians, Muslims and Christians alike, largely reject Boko Haram's
vision and violence, Boko Haram has exploited local resentment of these violations and other
long-standing grievances against the central government to attract recruits.
Nigeria's prosperity and stability matter to all of Africa.
The United States is committed to several Presidential initiatives in partnership with
Nigeria, including the Young African Leaders Initiative and Power Africa, as well as significant
programs in the areas of health, education, and economic growth.
Nigeria's success is important to us.
We must continue to help our Nigerian partners develop an effective multifaceted strategy
toward Boko Haram.
Overcoming the challenges posed by Boko Haram will not be easy, and we know that, but we
do believe it is possible.
We appreciate Congress' interest in this issue and are ready to work with you, as well as
with the government and people of Nigeria, in the months ahead to work against this threat.
And I look forward to your questions, thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN SMITH: Thank you very much, Madame Ambassador.