President Muhammadu Buhari has sought the support of the United States in the ongoing war against insurgency in Nigeria.
The president sought the help on Tuesday during a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president sought the relocation of the headquarters of the US Africa Command, AFRICOM, from Germany to Nigeria.
He said the call for the relocation was to enable the US help to tackle the state of insecurity in Nigeria and other African countries.
AFRICOM which has its headquarters located in Stuttgart, Germany, is one of the departments of defence combatant commands of the US set up to improve security in African countries.
It was established in 2007, but became operational in 2008.
Adesina quoted the president as saying: “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.
“Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes. The support of important and strategic partners like United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.
“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider re-locating AFRICOM Headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation.”
On the lifting of the immigration visa ban on Nigeria and rejoining the World Health Organisation, WHO, and Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the president said: “Nigeria attaches great importance to its relations with the United States. Let me in this connection express appreciation to President Joe Biden for his welcome and reaching decision to repeal the Immigration restriction known as the ‘Muslim ban’ on travel and visas for citizens predominantly from Muslim Nations and African Countries, including Nigeria.”
He added: “I also wish to congratulate the United States for re-joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The leadership of the United States in these two organsations is crucial for international community.
“This action is a demonstration of the United States’ commitment in championing and supporting international organisations with the aim to build a better world for all.”
Blinken expressed happiness over the meeting stressing that he looked forward to building sustainable relationships that would promote development.
