President Jonathan seeks stiffer sanctions against Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Washington DC, USA, made a case for more and effective international sanctions against the Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram as well as other groups involved in terrorism.

The President also sought similar fate for countries, organisations and individuals sponsoring terrorism in any part of the world.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,   Reuben Abati, the President made the call in a speech at the US-African Leaders Summit.

Jonathan was quoted as calling for more effective global action and implementation of all existing international protocols against terrorism and violent extremism.

He observed that some of the security problems being faced by Nigeria and other African countries were trans-national in scope and could not be resolved by any country acting alone.

He said that because terrorism, piracy and trans-national organised crimes had become global in scope, greater regional and international collaboration were needed to combat them.

Jonathn said, “Several African countries, including Nigeria, are now challenged by terrorism and violent extremism. For several countries in the continent, terrorism has become a real threat to social progress, peace and security.

“The violent and criminal activities of Boko Haram in my country have captured the world’s attention. This has been especially so since the terrorist group abducted some girls from their school dormitory in the North-Eastern Nigeria in April.

“Nigeria may be the epicentre of Boko Haram terrorist activities at the moment, but its affiliation with international terrorist networks, dramatically increases its capacity and reach beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“Nigeria is doing everything possible to combat Boko Haram and violent extremism. While we continue to enhance our intelligence and military capacities, we are, at the same time, working on political and socio-economic solutions. We are also building partnerships, both at the regional and international levels, to combat the threat posed by terrorism in our sub-region.

“In this enterprise, we are pleased to acknowledge the supportive role of the United States. The assistance that we continue to receive from the United States and our other international partners is proof indeed that partnership can multiply our strengths in addressing common challenges.

“We call for an effective international sanctions regime that would hold accountable any country, institutions and individual that finances terrorism in any part of the world. This inaugural Africa-US Summit must also call for effective action and implementation of all existing international protocols on this critical issue.

“Because terrorism, piracy and transnational organised crimes are global in scope, greater regional and international collaboration is required to combat them. We must act in concert.”

The statement said the President had conveyed the same message at a bilateral meeting with Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

He was quoted as saying at the meeting that Nigeria, the United States and the global community must work with greater synergy and unity of purpose to overcome Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.

At the meeting, which took place in the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing of the White House, Biden reportedly described Nigeria as an “extremely important” ally of the United States.

He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working with Nigeria to overcome the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that his country was also willing to give Nigeria any assistance it might require to contain the more recent threat of Ebola.

Jonathan and Biden also discussed further joint cooperation to boost trade and investments, agricultural development and access to electricity in Nigeria.