West Africa presents unique and complex challenges to the security of the United States (US) and critical US interests abroad. Nigeria, the largest and most diplomatically, militarily and economically progressive nation in West Africa, faces severe threats of instability promulgated by the burgeoning terrorist group, Boko Haram. East Africa is the traditional focus of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM); however, there is a compelling need to address West African issues before the region becomes the next primary challenge in the counterinsurgency (COIN) dilemma. Detailed USAFRICOM engagement can prevent derailment of progress experienced by Nigeria in the last twenty years, protect the critical energy infrastructure the U.S. relies upon for over 8% of its oil imports, and prevent mass terrorist attacks both in Africa and directly against the U.S. and its allies by Boko Haram and other linked terrorist organizations. This paper highlights the benefits of employing Engagement Teams (ETs) to mitigate vulnerabilities within Nigeria and provides recommendations for a scalable plan tailored to accomplish USAFRICOM strategic objectives within the turbulent nation of Nigeria.
展开▼
