President Barack Obama announced to Congress today that he plans to send 300 U.S. soldiers to Cameroon in order to gather intelligence. Ninety troops have already been deployed to the country earlier this week. A government official said the decision was “part of a broader regional effort to stop the spread of Boko Haram and other violent extremist organizations in West Africa.” Obama said the troops will stay in the country until “no longer needed,” and will be equipped with weapons for protection and security. Cameroon shares a border with Nigeria, where extremist Islamic organization Boko Haram has killed thousands and abducted hundreds. The country is part of a coalition supporting Nigeria in fighting the terrorist group. On Sunday, two suicide bombers—thought to be associated with Boko Haram—killed at least nine people and injured 29 in a village in northern Cameroon.
