The United Nations Security Council has called on the international community to assist in the fight against Boko Haram a Nigeria-based terrorist group associated with A-Qaeeda.
In a statement, the council called for active participation and collaboration of all states as well as international . regional and sub-regional organisations to counter terrorism which it said can only be deafeated by joint global efforts.
While acknowledging progress made against Boko Haram, the Council strongly condemned the group for its ongoing deadly violence, human rights abuses and mass abductions in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Security Council expressed its concern at the continued threat posed to international peace and security by Boko Haram “and all other individuals, groups and reaffirmed Member States’ determination to continue doing all “they can to resolve conflict.
The Council went on to reiterate its strong condemnation of all the terrorist attacks, abuses of human rights and violations by Boko Haram and recognized that women and girls are particularly targeted by Boko Haram.
Council members expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the peoples and Governments of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.
The Council also encouraged the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in coordination with the AU Commission, to accelerate joint efforts to adopt a comprehensive strategy to more effectively and urgently combat the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Acknowledging the economic burden borne by the Boko Haram-affected countries and welcoming the continuing commitment of Member States and international partners participating in support of the MNJTF, the Council called upon the international community and donors to support the Force, particularly its operational capability and welcomes in this regard, the AUC plans to organize a donors’ conference in support of the efforts of the Lake Chad Basin Member States and Benin.
The Council statement also spotlights the “deteriorating humanitarian situation” in the Lake Chad Basin countries, with close to 1.9 million people forcibly displaced in the region.
It reaffirmed the need for all parties to armed conflict to respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in order to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance, and encouraged all actors involved in the response to support recovery programmes and, among others, to pay particular attention to the release and reintegration of children abducted by Boko Haram or formerly associated with this terrorist group.
