America Designates Boko Haram As A Global Terrorist Group

The United States Department of State, on Wednesday, announced the designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) under Section 219 of her Immigration and Nationality Act.


Both have also been classified as Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224. According to the Department of State, “these designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts, as well as military engagement, to help root out violent extremism while also addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of northern Nigeria.”
“All of our assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. That assistance and these designations demonstrate U.S. support for the Nigerian people’s fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru.
Boko Haram has been conducting an ongoing and brutal campaign against Nigerian military, government, and civilian targets. Among its most lethal attacks, Boko Haram carried out indiscriminate attacks in Benisheikh, Nigeria in September 2013 that killed more than 160 innocent civilians, including women and children. Boko Haram has also conducted attacks against international targets, including a suicide bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja on August 26, 2011, that killed 21 people and injured dozens more.

The Department described Ansaru as a splinter group from the Boko Haram organization. It also pointed out that “the consequences of the these FTO and E.O. 13224 designations include a prohibition against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide, material support or resources to, or engaging in transactions with, Boko Haram and Ansaru, and the freezing of all property and interests in property of the organizations that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.”
The designation is expected to assist U.S. and other law enforcement partners in their efforts to investigate and prosecute terrorist suspects associated with Boko Haram and Ansaru.