Two US senators have written to the secretary of state not to sell fighter jets to Nigeria

- They claimed issue of human rights concern was a reason for this blockade

- Nigeria was accused of not following court orders in the detention of El-Zakzaky

The Nigerian government has suffered a setback in its fight against terrorism as the United States has been urged not to sell fighter jets to Nigeria over human rights concern.

Donald Trump-led administration had promised to sell 12 weaponised aircraft to Nigeria $600 million but this might have suffered a dip as senators Cory Booker and Rand Paul in a joint letter on Tuesday, June 8, said Nigeria must display concern for human rights first.

The duo in the letter to the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, cited the killing of Shi’ites by the army in early 2015 and the accidental bombing of an IDP camp as reasons why the aircrafts should not be sold to Nigeria.

They noted that although the country was facing Boko Haram insurgency, failure to comply with human rights directives shows the country should not be in custody of these fighter jets.

Read the letter below:

Dear Secretary Tillerson:

"We are writing to convey our concerns regarding reports that you intend to proceed with plans to sell A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircrafts, with mounted machine guns and related parts and logistical support, to help the Nigerian government combat Boko Haram. We request that before you approve this sale, you brief us on the steps Nigeria has taken to investigate and hold accountable those that have committed human rights abuses. We believe the security threats Nigeria is facing are very real but that a sale of this nature, and at this time, is ill-advised. Boko Haram – a 5,000 to 10,000 strong insurgent force with ties to the Islamic State – will not be defeated through expanded air power alone.

"Despite your comments that values will not impact national security policies, we believe proceeding without any clear indications of progress from the Nigerian government on the protection of human rights and enforcement of accountability would run contrary to our national security objectives.

"With proper training of pilots, the sale of more sophisticated aircraft could lead to more accurate targeting of insurgents by the Nigerian Air Force and potentially a reduction of civilian casualties. But there is evidence that the Nigerian military routinely flouts the laws of war and there remains an absence of adequate safeguards and accountability mechanisms. This means that the Tucano aircraft could be used in a manner inconsistent with international human rights and humanitarian law – and that ultimately helps to strengthen Boko Haram.

"Given that the Nigerian military still lacks the ability to mount a sophisticated counterinsurgency cooperation combining group and air assets, and the A-29 airframes will not be ready for delivery for at least another year at the earliest, we see no rush to complete the sale. Because this sale is an important point of leverage to encourage critical reforms necessary to defeat Boko Haram, we recommend that you require the Nigerian government to complete these steps before proceeding with the sale. Some of the important and specific benchmarks that would show progress include:

"Progress from the authorities in Abuja on the Kaduna government’s investigation into the December 2015 alleged massacre on Shiite Muslims in the northeastern town of Zaria, where at least 347 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a Shia Muslim group, were killed by army soldiers. Credible organizations found that the army’s attack was unjustified. An investigation launched by the local Kaduna government found the General Officer in command of the army to have authorized the massacre and recommended prosecution. Nearly a year after this report was published, there has been no follow-up from the federal government in Abuja. Authorities also failed to comply with a court order for the release of the movement’s leader, Ibraheem El Zakzaky, and his wife who remain in detention without charges since December 2015.

"Completion of the investigation into the January 2017 attack on a displaced persons camp in Rann, northeastern Nigeria, by the Nigerian Air Force, which killed at least 236 people and injured thousands more. The government was quick to acknowledge the attack, which officials said was an accident, and agreed to undertake an investigation but it has yet to be finalized and then made available to the public. Even if it was accidental, the Rann incident demonstrates the urgent need for safeguards and accountability.

"Progress on a fair investigation into the 2014 killing by the Nigerian security forces of over 600 people, on the heels of Boko Haram’s attack on Giwa army barracks. Hundreds of mostly unarmed detainees, including children, were killed in extrajudicial executions and likely buried in mass graves around the city.


"At the same time, there continues to be additional allegations of corruption, abuse, and misconduct throughout the Nigerian military. While some soldiers have been released or retired, there has yet to be any real or meaningful accountability for the systemic challenges that have plagued Nigeria’s security forces for decades. Without addressing these problems at an institutional level, reform is merely cosmetic and will only perpetuate longstanding patterns of abuse, which could serve as propaganda for Boko Haram and other insurgent groups seeking to discredit the Nigerian government.

"We are concerned that the decision to proceed with this sale will empower the government to backtrack even further on its commitments to human rights, accountability, and upholding international humanitarian law, which in turn could spur greater unrest and violence, particularly in the northeastern part of the country. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to sell A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircrafts to Nigeria without any meaningful reform or any clear safeguards in place. Instead we recommend you make clear to Abuja that the sale of these aircraft can proceed only if there is positive and measurable progress on reforming the security institutions.".


https://www.naij.com/1109091-us-senators-block-sale-fighter-jets-nigeria-human-rights-concern.html

Good

GOOD! Ipob ad other groups shuld summit all the atrocities the army have bin commiting against innocent civilians. especially the flogging of a crippled man.

Senators I have no idea how you guys missed the killing of over 150 pro Biafran peaceful protesters in various cities around Nigeria for demanding their right to self determination and the ability to control and govern their God given people and resources as provided in the U.N and African charter on human rights.

Yea they did well

saw the news on naij.com



God bless them

High level lobby to prevent the criminal zoo to continue genocide and evil

Buhari is a terrorist. Quote me anywhere

Yeah. Nigerian has a lot to prove in this 1 Nigeria. When nobody from SE is heading any Security Agency, it sounds strange.

Hmmm.

NO Security Agency headed by the SE. You call Nigerians Guests In Nigeria.

Ask Nigerians to leave a part of Nigeria.

Jail Southerners for inciting statements and ignore the North.

Refuse to restructure.

Till every Nigerian can feel equity, justice and equality, it's a good move from US.

Even one bullet, US no go sell, go to Russia and buy, they need ur money.

Buhari is a terrorist hiding in London. He should be arrested by now.

Nigeria military has a lot more to do to prove to the world that they have evolved. the sudden interest to acquired those 12 jets is to kill civilians most especially IPOB. the country is too vulnerable at the moment and the military employment question have not been attended to. the Hausa Fulani are on the upper hand to wipe off the IBO. let call for a referendum. restructuring will not work we need to separate so that south can be diplomatic to Israel and north to whoever they want.

if we must tell ourselves the truth Africa countries doesn't need such high powerful jets because they are not fighting wars with each other and cannot fight war in this 21st century.

as the world power will always intervene in the case of war between Africa countries. if any Africans need fighter jets so badly then they should build it by themselves.


as for the boko haram it won't make any difference, boko haram is still killing people despite all the jet we already had.

not now when the country is already tense. I know Trump needs money but he shouldn't be carried away.

we will make sure we destroy the zoo completely

good news now let's get the Russian jets to hell with America

LOL Buhari better go to Russia. If you guys read the Russia thread I posted it says Moscow is willing to work with Nigeria. I remember the Trump story got front page on hope of US support. Honestly Nigeria should get its act together start learning how to make more of these weapons ourselves long term. We shouldn't be counting on fickle foreign powers who we have no sway with.

Front Page: Mynd44 Lalasticlala

US refusal to sell Nigeria the Military aircrafts required and indeed US efforts to prevent Nigeria acquiring those aircrafts​ elsewhere​ (probably explains why we don't turn to Russia and China more) has nothing to do with humanrights. There's a humaneterian crises of gigantic proportions building up in the NE. America the nation abides by the philosophy The Needs of the Many Outweighs the Needs of the Few. This mean that quite apart from the hypocrasy evident in US support and arming of humanrights violating Saudi Arabia and US history of indiscriminate bombing of civilians in the Middle East war theaters where America is involved, there is scope to sell Nigeria equipment Nigeria needs.

But I thought acting co-coordinator took a picture with Trump?

SuperSuave:
This is not a good news for the country's military but a good news on the other hand for book haram and other enemies of the Nation

we dey go buy for Russia hand

The world's 10 biggest arms exporters and importers we can by weapons from

1 USA (31 per cent)

2 Russia (27 per cent)

3 China (5 per cent)

4 Germany (5 per cent)

5 France (5 per cent)

6 UK (4 per cent)

7 Spain (3 per cent)

8 Italy (3 per cent)

9 Ukraine (3 per cent)

10 Israel (2 per cent)

[color=#000000][/color]I wonder where you got your percentage figure from please contact reliable sources such as military today .the U.S is responsible for at least 50% of global arms sales, Israel occupies the 7th position. Ukraine and Germany are not among major exporter

TheCabal:
The world's 10 biggest arms exporters and importers we can by weapons from

1 USA (31 per cent)

2 Russia (27 per cent)

3 China (5 per cent)

4 Germany (5 per cent)

5 France (5 per cent)

6 UK (4 per cent)

7 Spain (3 per cent)

8 Italy (3 per cent)

9 Ukraine (3 per cent)

10 Israel (2 per cent)

I agree with a lot of the stuff written by these 2 senators but I know they are full of bologna. Nigeria does have accountability issues and questionable humans right record. That said US sells billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia who has real human rights violations domestically and abroad. The are doing starvation blockade in Yemen and killing civilians. The US government doesnt care too much about these issues as long as monetary interest and or Israel is involved.

The points listed show that Nigeria conduct is what holds us back. The violation of court or detaining El Zakzaky, December 2015 alleged massacre on Shiite Muslims, and accidental bombing of IDP camp. The last example is being used to claim Nigerian military is irresponsible with weapons. Nigeria should improve on these issues. Who knows if this will sway Trump or Tillerson. We'll just have to wait for future updates.

Nigerian army: Touts in green uniform

Even the USA now knows of terrorist Buhari's legendary dulladism and that Nigeria is a zoo.

nobleiyke4biafr:
I wonder where you got your percentage figure from please contact reliable sources such as military today .the U.S is responsible for at least 50% of global arms sales, Israel occupies the 7th position. Ukraine and Germany are not among major exporter

His percentages might be off. The US isnt 50% of the arms industry Its in the 30% range. Yeah Germany and Ukraine are still top 10.

source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/arms-trade-exporters-importers-weapons-transfers-sipri-a6891491.html
https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Trends-in-international-arms-transfers-2016.pdf

A country that sells weapons to Saudi Arabia?

nice one from America Nigerian army also killed a harmless civilian packing sand in Kaduna recently. they don't deserve arms because they are uncivilized and uneducated to use them

nice one from America Nigerian army also killed a harmless civilian packing sand in Kaduna recently. they don't deserve arms because they are uncivilized and uneducated to use them

As if their president is an angel, allegations after allegations. They should check his DNA because he acts more like children of hate

The duo in the letter to the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, cited the killing of Shi’ites by the army in early 2015 and the accidental bombing of an IDP camp as reasons why the aircrafts should not be sold to Nigeria

The United States Air force has bombed civilians locations twice after the Nigerian incident. Dumb people
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-air-strike-mosul-200-civilians-killed-isis-northern-iraq-pentagon-central-command-islamic-state-a7651451.html
http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-mosul-civilians-airstrike-20170324-story.html
12 SUPER Tucano for $600M is too expensive when we can get 20J-10 at such price 25 JF17 or 16SU30.

FG should just channel the money into procuring better planes than those Tucanos.

America : injustice to one is injustice to all
Nigeria: if it is not my tribesman /imam/pastor/faction of Islam I don't and we get surprised why we are not moving forward,
in a sane society there ought to be media onslaught about this El Zakzaky issue,irony of it all is that the person under whose rule the injured old man is under detention is going to the ends of the earth trying to save his life and expecting a miracle from God..hmmm