United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brought his truncated maiden Africa trip to a close on Monday, promising the full backing of his countr
United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson brought his truncated maiden Africa trip to a close on Monday, promising the full backing of his country to Nigeria and Chad, on the frontline of the war on terror. The Washington’s top diplomat has been on a five-country tour of east and west Africa but was forced to cut short his visit due to demands in (his) schedule, according to the State Department. After stops in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, which were overshadowed by US President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement on talks with North Korea, he squeezed visits to Chad and Nigeria into just one day.
Before returning to Washington, Tillerson notably promised Nigeria support ranging from equipment to intelligence to help secure the swift release of 110 schoolgirls kidnapped last month by Boko Haram jihadists. The students were taken from their state-run school in Dapchi, in the northeastern state of Yobe, on February 19. Nothing has been heard from them since. The abduction brought back painful memories of the kidnapping of 276 girls from Chibok in April 2014 that sparked global outrage and calls for their release, led by then-first lady Michelle Obama. The Dapchi abduction has yet to garner such support.
Tillerson called it “heartbreaking” and added: “Nigeria has the United States’ full support and we are actively working with our partners in what we can to assist you in this fight.”
Washington was already “very engaged” with Nigeria and its neighbours “in supporting, equipping and training” as well as advising and providing information.
“I think that’s the best way we can help the government of Nigeria secure the release these girls, which we hope will be done in a peaceful manner. We hope something can be worked out and they (Boko Haram) can be persuaded to release these girls quickly. That’s what we pray,” he added.
