Global attention, especially from the US, on rescue of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls has now shifted significantly to the possibility of negotiations with the Boko Haram terrorists. The US is also showing greater interest in the broader effort of helping Nigeria overcome terrorism, just as parents of the girls reminded the world that their wards were still in captivity.
Speaking during the week at an online session with journalists in Africa, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield disclosed, "we have individuals there (in Nigeria) from the civilian side who can provide assistance on negotiations."
It is believed that this was an indication that negotiations to secure the release of the girls are likely underway without a direct military action.
Generally, the issue of negotiations with terrorists — specifically on the over 200 abducted Nigerian schoolgirls — has remained a very sensitive subject.
There were reports that the Federal Government has made aborted attempts in the recent past to negotiate for the release of the abducted girls. Besides, the Nigerian military itself has said it cannot possibly storm the location of the girls so as not to endanger the lives of the schoolgirls.
While the US does not officially negotiate with terrorists, the option of going through a credible third party was explored by the Americans leading recently to freedom of the country's Prisoner of War, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from Afghanistan.
Although the top US official for Africa did not explain why the US sent potential negotiators to help Nigeria in the case of the Chibok girls, there are US politicians who have been publicly advocating in local US Bringbackourgirls rallies for such negotiations, while others oppose such.
For instance, a US Democratic Party Candidate for the Congress in the November 2014 elections in New York, Ms. Pat Maher, told local US media that no option should be dismissed, including negotiations, to secure the release of the girls.
But Maher's contender, from the Republican party, the incumbent US Congressman Peter King, who had also been active in securing the designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the US State Department has openly objected to the idea of negotiating with Boko Haram.
Beside the hint of American negotiators in Nigeria, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield, could not offer any specific update on the role of the American government except to repeat the promises made by both the US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry about two months ago.
At the online media interaction on Wednesday with US reporters on Africa and reporters from Africa, she was specifically asked: "What happened to the U.S. efforts regarding the seizure of about 200 girls in Nigeria by the Boko Haram?
She initially expressed surprise that the question came late during the press interaction but merely added that "as you know, both President Obama and Secretary Kerry indicated that we are going to work closely with the Government of Nigeria as well as countries in the region to do everything possible to bring these girls home.
"We are working with the Nigerian Government, both on the security side, but also in addressing broader issues related to the girls."
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Nigeria are to strengthen efforts and strategies to tackle the threat of terrorism facing Nigeria and bring insurgency to a complete halt in Nigeria.
This was the outcome of a meeting between Nigeria's President of the Senate, David Mark, and the America Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, when the latter visited him in Abuja Friday.
Senator Mark specifically pointed out that Boko Haram is not only a threat to Nigeria but poses a great danger to human existence. He said the threat is much closer than was ever imagined pointing out that he believed that the extremists had wider networks and support outside Nigeria.
Senator Mark noted that the nation's security operatives were doing their best to bring the situation under control but would welcome support and assistance from the international community to end the activities of the insurgents.
He added that every thing humanly possible is being done by the Nigerian government to free hostages, especially the girls of Chibok Secondary School in Borno State, held by Boko Haram.
The American Envoy Entwistle pledged the continued support and assistance of the America government to end terrorism in Nigeria. He, however, cautioned that in the war against insurgents, the security operatives should be mindful of human rights in order not to cause more damage than arresting the situation.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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