The United Nations has blacklisted and imposed sanctions on Boko Haram
as an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group, a month after it claimed the
kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls. The
designation, which was immediately welcomed by Britain and the United
States, came into effect after no objections were raised by the Security
Council’s 15 members.
The move subjects Boko Haram to UN sanctions, including an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban. The
group, which was created 10 years ago, demands the creation of an
Islamic state in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria. Their attacks have left
thousands dead since 2009. Continue......
US ambassador Samantha Power hailed
the move as “an important step” in support of Nigeria’s efforts “to
defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for
atrocities.” Nigeria, criticised by the United States for failing
to react quickly enough to the rise of Boko Haram, had asked the
Al-Qaeda sanctions committee to blacklist the group and impose
sanctions.
“It is significant step,” Nigerian ambassador Joy Ogwu
told reporters in anticipation on Wednesday. “The important thing is to
attack the problem and that is terrorism,” she added.
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