Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Washington is viewed with great interests across Africa. The reasons are not far to seek. One, he is the first sub-Saharan African leader to have a White House Summit with President Trump. Second, Trump administration is being criticized for its lack of focus on Africa, as against importance given to this region by Barak Obama, who had scripted a definite Africa focus policy and even visited a few countries. Third, Boko Haram insurgency, which weakening the beleaguered economy, that is plagued by multiple problems like weak economic growth, social backwardness, inadequate education and healthcare facilities and the list goes on.
Despite being an important oil producing country in the African region, Nigeria’s progress on all fronts is unenviable. There is also a specific reason for Buhari and his Party. Elections are around the corner and he has to show some results on the ground to show that Boko Haram’s grip on people is waning.
Most of the questions that he has faced in Washington is about Boko Haram and how he is going to combat it with the liberal US$ 600 million assistance from the US to beef up its military strength. In all his media interfaces, Buhari took special care and tact to convey the impression that he is in total command of the situation. The shrewd politician he is, he tried to radiate an aura and seemingly controlled retorts even against unsavory and disparaging remark of Trump that Nigeria was a den of corruption. That tactfulness of Buhari is hailed by the American Press, which normally ignores visits of heads of state from not so important countries.
Mr Buhari managed to get Military assistance to the tune of what was promised (US$ 600 million) by the US. The flip side of the deal is that most of the military equipment that he had sought would be coming from the US armament companies. But he can take pride in getting the deal clinched, which was whittled down by the Democrats during Obama’s regime on the ground that there were widespread human rights violations in Nigeria. Mr Buhari tried to assuage the apprehensions of the US by repeatedly assuring that he would do whatever to protect the human dignity and rights. He even said that militancy is on the wane and the control of the Boko Haram in the local governments is eroding.
Indeed, Mr Buhari got all he asked for from the US. Now, the focus should be to bring the semblance of order and harmony to his country. That also is key to his re-election.
