Boko Haram: US scholars warn Obama

Written by Idowu Samuel, Abuja, With Agency ReportTuesday, 22 May 2011

SCHOLARS drawn from different ivory tower in the United States (US) had urged the government of the country to tread cautiously on the issue of Boko Haram in Nigeria, by refraining from listing the group as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO).

The scholars, in a joint letter sent to the American government on its plan to brand Boko Haram as FTO, expressed conviction that doing so would accord the group an international status.

The American university dons said any attempt to internationalise the Boko Haram activities would enhance its profile among al-Qaeda and other global militant groups.

The letter, which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune through a cable news network; African Examiner, was written ahead of the scheduled meeting between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Patrick Azazi and the US Secretary of States, Hillary Clinton, in Washington DC.

“An FTO designation would internationalise Boko Haram’s standing and enhance its status among radical organisations elsewhere. Boko Haram’s recent tactics, including the use of suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices, raise questions about their foreign links,” the dons said.

They added that “should Boko Haram be designated an FTO through this regime, it would be illegal for non-governmental organisations to interact with members of Boko Haram – even if the purpose of such contact was to persuade them to renounce violence.”