LONDON, 22 May 2014 / PRNewswire Africa / - Foreign Secretary welcomes addition of Boko Haram on UN sanctions list.
On 22 May, the UN Security Council's Al Qaida Sanctions Committee approved the addition of Boko Haram to its list of groups subject to financial and arms sanctions. The UK has shown its strong support for securing the listing and co-sponsored Nigeria's proposal.
Under the terms of the sanctions list it is now an offence for any individual or entity to provide financial or material support to Boko Haram, including the provision of arms or recruits.
The Foreign Secretary, William Hague said:
I welcome the listing of Boko Haram by the UN Security Council's Al Qaida Sanctions Committee. Boko Haram is an inhumane organisation who have no respect for religion or belief or a persons' right to decide their way of life. Attacks by these violent extremists are causing suffering in communities across Nigeria.
Britain was the first country to proscribe Boko Haram and was pleased to support Nigeria's demand that the UN take action. At the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria, Nigeria's neighbours, the UK, US and EU all agreed to pursue sanctions against Boko Haram at the UN. This demonstrates the international community's support for Nigeria's efforts to tackle terrorism.
SOURCE UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Boko Haram, Nigerian group that kidnapped schoolgirls, put on UN terror sanctions list
NEW YORK, 23 May 2014 / PRNewswire Africa / - The United Nations Security Council has added Boko Haram, the Nigerian militant group that has claimed responsibility for the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in mid-April, to its list of Al-Qaida associates subject to financial sanctions and an arms embargo.In its designation, the Council's Al Qaida Sanctions Committee listed the Islamist group, the name of which roughly translates as “Western education is a sin,” as an affiliate of AQIM, the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, and named its leader as Abubakar Shekau.
In addition to targeting schools such as the one in Chibok where the girls were abducted, raising a global outcry, Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in recent years against police, religious leaders, politicians and public and international institutions, indiscriminately killing civilians and sacking entire towns.
The UN has prepared an integrated support package for the victims and families of the mass abduction, following the visit of a high-level representative of the Secretary-General to Nigeria from 12 to 15 May.
SOURCE UN News Centre
Top News
Posted at 15:19 WAT NEAH GES Announces Lead Sponsorship of the West Africa Oil & Gas Security Summit in Lagos, Nigeria on the 18th-19th of June 2014
Tweet