By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Obama Administration deployed 80 members of the Armed Forces to Chad to aid in the search for more than 200 young girls who were kidnapped from a school in Nigeria by Boko Haram militants the White House said Wednesday. United States President Barack Obama informed the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate of decision. “These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area,” the White House said in a letter, “the force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the kidnapping situation is no longer required.”

The letter was sent to comply with the War Powers Resolution requiring Congressional notification within 48 hours of the deployment of American Armed Forces. The deployment of armed personnel follows manned and unmanned surveillance flights launched by U.S. personnel earlier this month. The move also follows the deployment of a team of U.S. military, law-enforcement and hostage-negotiation advisers to Abuja.

“These are not combat infantry troops that we put into Chad,” Pentagon spokesperson Rear Adm. John Kirby said, “these are folks that are there to support the reconnaissance mission.” He said Chad is an ideal location to deploy troops to aid in the search because of its proximity to Nigeria as well as the United States’ strong relationship with Chad’s government. He said Reconnaissance flights will be searching and area in Nigeria and neighboring countries that is about the size of West Virginia.

The Obama administration had been criticized by some lawmakers in Washington for not more aggressively aiding in the search for the missing girls. “We should devote more of our national capabilities to help our Nigerian partners in locating the girls,” Senator John McCain on said May 16. “And if we get actionable intelligence about where they are being held, we should send U.S. Special Forces to rescue them — with the approval and cooperation of the Nigerian government and security forces if possible, but without them if necessary.”

The announcement form the Obama White House came on the same day Nigeria asked the United Nations to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization. If approved by the United Nations this would enable countries to impose arms embargoes, travel bans and asset freezes.

Earlier this month members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is sin,” claimed restorability for abducting nearly 300 young schoolgirls in the Nigerian town of Chibok. Since the attack members of the groups have allegedly kidnapped more girls from Nigerian villages including the northeastern Nigerian village of Warabe, prompting international outrage. A Boko Haram leader has threatened to sell the kidnapped children into slavery.

The United Nations spokesperson for Human Rights Rupert Colville told the press in briefing earlier this month in Geneva that the United Nations warns “the perpetrators that there is an absolute prohibition against slavery and sexual slavery in international law. These can under certain circumstances constitute crimes against humanity.”

For more information please see:

CNN International – 80 U.S. Troops in Chad Will Aid Search For Abducted Nigerian Girls – 22 May 2014

Time – U.S. Deploys Troops in Search for Kidnapped Nigerian Girls – 21 May 2014

Al Jazeera – Nigeria: Life for Schoolgirls in The North – 15 May 2014

Al Jazeera – More Schoolgirls Kidnapped In Nigeria – 07 May 2014