Donors at the African Union (AU) summit on Monday pledged $250
million (229 million euros) to the fight against Boko Haram insurgents,
the AU peace and security council head Smail Chergui said.
Boko Haram has stepped up its cross-border attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon while continuing its murderous campaign of terror attacks on markets, mosques and other civilian targets in Nigeria.
Despite recent offensives by the multinational task force comprised of soldiers from Benin, Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, the Islamist jihadists maintain strongholds in areas that are difficult to access.
However, Chergui praised the success of the force at the close of an
AU summit last Sunday, saying territory had been wrested back from the
Islamists.
“Great results have been achieved and we must consolidate these gains,” he said.
Chergui said $110 million came from Nigeria and the European Union offered 50 million euros.
Britain and Switzerland have also offered money to the anti-Boko Haram campaign.
Chad’s President, Idriss Deby, who is also the current AU chairman, said it is crucial to remember that the money pledged was actually paid to show the union’s firm commitment to the fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said gains had been made but much more needed to be done.
“Boko Haram is no longer able to operate freely as in the past or control territories as they did.
“We are making tremendous progress in this battle, but we still need to remain vigilant, we need to share information and cooperate,” he said.
Despite the comments made at the AU summit, Boko Haram remains a troubling menace for Nigerians.
Boko Haram has stepped up its cross-border attacks in Niger, Chad and Cameroon while continuing its murderous campaign of terror attacks on markets, mosques and other civilian targets in Nigeria.
Despite recent offensives by the multinational task force comprised of soldiers from Benin, Cameroun, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, the Islamist jihadists maintain strongholds in areas that are difficult to access.
Multinational task force troops
“Great results have been achieved and we must consolidate these gains,” he said.
Chergui said $110 million came from Nigeria and the European Union offered 50 million euros.
Britain and Switzerland have also offered money to the anti-Boko Haram campaign.
Chad’s President, Idriss Deby, who is also the current AU chairman, said it is crucial to remember that the money pledged was actually paid to show the union’s firm commitment to the fight against terrorism.
The Nigerian foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said gains had been made but much more needed to be done.
“Boko Haram is no longer able to operate freely as in the past or control territories as they did.
“We are making tremendous progress in this battle, but we still need to remain vigilant, we need to share information and cooperate,” he said.
Despite the comments made at the AU summit, Boko Haram remains a troubling menace for Nigerians.
No comments:
Post a Comment
spill it!!!