The United States has not designated Boko Haram a terrorist organisation because its insurgency is principally aimed at portraying the Nigeria government as ineffective, Ambassador Jonnie Carson said yesterday.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs spoke in a continent-wide telephone conference monitored at the US Embassy in Lagos.
Mr. Carson said Boko Haram is not a homogenous organisation and, therefore, not qualified to be labelled a terrorist group.
"Boko Haram is an organisation trying to discredit the Nigerian government and trying to show the government as ineffective in protecting its citizens," he said.
He, however, conceded that the US "constantly keeps it (Boko Haram) under review" and that is why it has declared three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists.
Last June, the US Government placed Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid al-Barnawi on its global terror watch list.
"These three leaders were declared as terrorists because we believe they have established contacts and broader network with foreign terrorist organisations. They have sought funding and materials," Carson said.
In the build-up to the November 6 US presidential election, Carson spoke extensively on US affairs in Africa.
According to him, the US's predominant activities are targetted at helping "Africa deal with its ongoing security challenges" because crises take away resources meant for development. But, he said the country's larger aim is to help Africa grow its economy, especially agriculture.
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