Washington approves $1 billion sale of military equipment to Nigeria
A U.S. Marine Corps photo released April 17, 2017 shows an AH-1Z Viper prepares to land at Chocolate Mountain Air Weapons Range, Calif. The U.S. Department of State on Thursday (April 15) approved a major sale of attack helicopters to Nigeria for almost a billion dollars.
AP - Cpl.
harley robinson
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Washington has just authorized the sale of attack helicopters and related equipment to Nigeria for a value of around 1 billion dollars.
Washington thus reaffirms its military support for its strategic partner in West Africa, which has been confronted for years with a jihadist insurrection in the North.
The US Congress had delayed the sale due to concerns over Abuja's commitments to protect civilians in areas where armed groups operate.
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Twelve AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, but also guidance and night vision systems, armament as well as a training package for Nigerian pilots, this is what Washington will provide to Abuja.
This, according to the American authorities, is to “
better equip Nigeria to promote regional stability and strengthen interoperability with the United States and other Western partners
”.
Clearly, Washington supports the fight led by Nigeria against armed jihadist groups.
This important contract had been delayed by the American Congress, anxious to obtain commitments from Nigerians to better protect civilian populations in troubled areas.
Washington therefore normalizes its policy
supply of arms to the West African giant, after the Obama years during which several contracts were frozen.
Read also: In Nigeria, Antony Blinken sets out the priorities of the American administration in Africa
Last year, Abuja also received the first Super Tucano-type ground attack aircraft, a contract initially blocked by Barack Obama, following a Nigerian strike on a refugee camp, and then unfrozen by his successor, Donald Trump.
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