Cleaning up their act

Nigeria’s national security adviser has announced the arrest of two insurgent leaders, Mahmud Muhammad Usman of Ansaru and Mahmud al-Nigeri of the Mahmuda group. In a separate development, the Nigerian Army has approved a major redeployment of senior officers to boost the fight against insurgency. Could these moves signal a turning point in Nigeria’s security strategy? 

The US has approved a sale of $346 million in arms to Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nigeria has vowed to impose reciprocal visa restrictions on American citizens in response to the U.S.’s newly introduced, stringent visa rules. How will this mix of military cooperation and diplomatic friction shape future U.S.–Nigeria ties?

Finally, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has urged the Trump administration to recognise Somaliland as an independent state. Would U.S. recognition of Somaliland reshape the geopolitical balance in the Horn of Africa?