BREAKING!!! Again, U.S Sanctions Buhari Over Human Rights Abuses
The Federal Government has again been blocked by the United
States from acquiring fighter ground attack aircraft important in
the fight against Boko Haram and militancy.
America prevented the Nigerian Military from getting the A-29
Super Tucano light attack aircraft from Brazil according to
investigations.
A Presidency source said on Saturday that Nigeria and Brazil were
almost striking a deal on the acquisition of the light attack aircraft
when the US, which produced the aircraft, prevented the deal.
It was gathered that the leadership of the Armed Forces had taken
a decision to replace the ailing Alpha jet platform of the Nigerian
Air Force with the newer A-29 Super Tucano.
The Brazilians were alleged to be initially enthusiastic about the
deal before they suddenly became reluctant.
The source added the US had told the Brazilians, who acquired 99
of the aircraft from the US firm, Embraer Defence System, that the
aircraft deal be put on hold due to human rights issues involving
the military.
Like the case of the A-29 Super Tucano, the Boeing CH-47 Chinok
helicopters were produced by US firms and could only be sold with
approval by the Americans.
The latest development has dimmed indications that the US was
relaxing the arms embargo on the country with the election of
President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
US Congressman Darrel Isah had said shortly after a meeting with
service chiefs and defence authorities in the country in August
2015 that the US had commenced the process of relaxing the
embargo on military assistance to the country under the Leahy
Law.
The Leahy Law prohibits the US defence sector from providing
military assistance to countries involved in rights violations.
