High-Level Representative of the Secretary-General for Nigeria Said Djinnit attends the Abuja Ministerial Conference on Security in Nigeria

DAKAR, Sénégal, September 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Said Djinnit, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and High-Level Representative of the Secretary-General for Nigeria, attended yesterday the Abuja Ministerial Meeting on Security. The Ministerial Conference was a follow-up to three previous meetings in Paris, London and Washington on 17 May, 12 June and 5 August respectively.

The High-Level Representative for Nigeria conveyed the message of the Secretary-General to the meeting, highlighting the deep concern of the United Nations at the continuous violence in North-Eastern Nigeria, including the killing and abduction of innocent civilians.

The Secretary-General reaffirms the United Nations’ solidarity with the victims as well as the people of Nigeria who face extremism and terror, and expresses concern about the appalling human rights violations, and the dire humanitarian situation in the North East, aggravated by rising food insecurity and the disruption of schooling and farming. “In the face of these daunting challenges, national unity will be crucial”, says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, further stressing the need to strengthen regional cooperation to tackle the increasing activities of Boko Haram in the countries of the region.

In his intervention, the High Level Representative further called on the Nigerian authorities to strengthen national unity against the threat of terrorism, and pledged the continuous support of the international community to Nigeria’s efforts to fight terrorism, free all the abducted civilians including the Chibok schoolgirls and address the larger insecurity in the country.

The meeting welcomed progress achieved towards the implementation of decisions made at the earlier meetings in Paris and London. The participants noted with satisfaction the technical support and assistance provided by strategic partners in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. They commended progress on girls’ education in Nigeria and the efforts of the Nigerian government in setting up the victims support fund. While underscoring the need for effective regional cooperation against Boko Haram, the participants highlighted the importance to ensure that counter-terrorism activities are carried out in accordance with international human rights standards.

The meeting was attended by Ministers of Cameroon, France, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, and representatives of Benin, Chad, Niger, the United States, Canada, China, the United Nations, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States and the Organization for Islamic Conference.

Source: AFRICAWIN