Africa: Anti-Boko Haram force 'to cross borders to fight'

Multinational troops fighting Boko Haram in West Africa will
be able to pursue the militants across borders, Nigeria's
presidential spokesman says.
Garba Shehu told the BBC this was there was now trust
between those contributing troops since the election of
President Muhammadu Buhari in May.
He was speaking ahead of the Nigerian leader's visit to
Cameroon.
A boosted force with 8,700 troops from Cameroon, Chad,
Niger and Nigeria is to become fully operational next month.
BBC Africa Live: News updates
Relations between Nigeria and Cameroon have been fraught
for years because of territorial disputes, in particular over
the Bakassi peninsula.
The oil-rich region was eventually awarded to Cameroon by
an international court.
BBC Nigeria analyst Naziru Mikailu says Mr Buhari is trying
to smooth over these diplomatic tensions as he meets
President Paul Biya as both nations now face a new enemy
threatening their territorial integrity.
On Tuesday, Cameroon announced it would deploy an extra
2,000 troops along its northern border with Nigeria to fight
Boko Haram.
It follows an upsurge in suicide attacks in northern
Cameroon blamed on the Nigerian militants.
'In disarray'
With the help of troops from Chad and Niger, earlier this
year the Nigerian army managed to retake most of the areas
taken over by the militants in north-eastern Nigeria.
Although the militants have lost their strongholds, they are
still active and there has been an upsurge in suicide attacks
since Mr Buhari took office.
"Boko Haram is in disarray and it is doubtful they have any
central command," Mr Shehu told the BBC's Newsday
programme.
President Buhari has made the multinational force central to
his government's strategy in tackling the insurgency.
The force of soldiers, police and civilian personnel will be
based in Chad's capital, N'Djamena, which has also been
affected by the violence.
"All the countries agreed this operation will not recognise
international boundaries - wherever terrorists are they will
be chased to these locations and they will be fought until
they are finished," Mr Shehu said.
At least 17,000 people have been killed since Boko Haram
launched its insurgency in northern Nigeria 2009, according
to Amnesty International.
Boko Haram at a glance
Founded in 2002, initially focused on opposing Western-
style education - Boko Haram means "Western
education is forbidden" in the Hausa language
Launched military operations in 2009
Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern Nigeria,
abducted hundreds, including at least 200 schoolgirls
Joined Islamic State, now calls itself "West African
province"
Seized large area in north-east, where it declared
caliphate
Regional force has retaken most territory this year
Will new military base help defeat Boko Haram?
Why Boko Haram remains a threat