By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja
The United Nations has adopted a new strategy that would assist the Nigerian government in curbing the activities of Boko Haram, the special representative of the UN Secretary General for West Africa, Mr. Said Djinnit, said yesterday.
Djinnit said this at the opening of the 45th ordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and a two-day summit in Accra, Ghana.
He said integrated support package was targeted to complement the efforts of the government to achieve results through a multi-dimensional approach.
He said: “The United Nations has adopted an integrated support package to complement Nigeria’s efforts, since we are convinced that only a multi-dimensional approach can bring lasting solution to the crisis.
“Our primary and immediate concern is the plight of children, including in particular those that are being held in captivity by the terrorist Boko Haram group, as well as the fate of the civilian population in the North-east, where human rights and humanitarian conditions are distressing.”
He expressed satisfaction with the ECOWAS support for the counter-terrorism efforts of the government of Nigeria in tackling the Boko Haram menace, stressing that the support was a reflection of the solidarity of the countries of the region and their legitimate concern about the spread of violent extremism.
In his address, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and current chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS commended the establishment of peace operations in Cameroon and Chad to defeat Boko Haram.
He said: “Less than two months ago, precisely on 39th May, 2014, we met at this same venue, for an extraordinary summit. The main purpose of that gathering was to review the security situation in our sub-region, specifically in northern Mali and some parts of northern Nigeria.
“Let me take the opportunity to thank all who are involved in the efforts to bring peace to our sub-region. We welcome the role of Algeria and Mauritania and others to bring peace to Mali. We acknowledge the peace operation from Cameroon and Chad to defeat the Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria.”
On the Ebola virus threat in the sub-region, Mahama expressed concern over the spread of the virus and called for concerted efforts to tackle it.
He stressed the need for medical and research centres in the ECOWAS region to assist in development of vaccines and cure for the disease.
