U.S. to give equipment for fight against Boko Haram

The United States military plans to provide communications equipment to African countries fighting against the militant group Boko Haram.

Military commanders in West Africa have said that not having reliable and compatible communications equipment makes it difficult to share information and coordinate missions, NBC News reports. Major Gen. James Linder said that during U.S.-sponsored counter-terrorism exercises this year in Chad, the U.S. will introduce technology that makes it easier to communicate between radios, computers, and cell phones.

Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Benin are starting a joint task-force of 8,700 men to fight Boko Haram, whose leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a taped statement on Tuesday calling out the Muslim leaders of Chad, Benin, and Cameroon. Shekau said that if they fight against Boko Haram, they are "fighting against Allah."

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