American President Barack Obama will send 300 US troops, along with surveillance drones, to Cameroon to counter the Nigerian militant sect Boko Haram.
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| President Barack Obama |
US officials said on Wednesday, October 14, that a front force of 90 American army personnel has arrived in Cameroon.
The troops will be organising airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, the official stated, adding they would be armed for their own protection.
Obama said: “These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon until their support is no longer needed.”
US troops began deploying on Monday under an agreement with the Cameroon authorities. A total of
up to about 300 US service members could be sent.
The officials said the American soldiers would deploy firstly to the city of Garoua in northern Cameroon, not far from the Nigerian border. The force will comprise Predator drones for surveillance, they added.
The White House stated that the move was not in response to any changed assessment of threat in the region.
Cameroon has been fighting Boko Haram insurgents based in the neighbouring Nigeria. The sect has pledged to revenge against Cameroon for supporting the Nigerian military’s mission to crush Boko Haram.
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| President of Cameroon Paul Biya (L) walks with the Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari following his arrival to Cameroon for talks on the war against Boko Haram. |
The United States has no combat troops in Africa, but has been increasing support to alliance in the region fighting the Boko Haram sect.
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