Brussels, 09/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU foreign ministers, meeting on Monday 9 February, condemned “the violence and appalling atrocities committed by Boko Haram on civilians, including women and children”, and expressed their concerns for the security of the region (Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger).
“The Boko Haram terrorist actions in north-eastern Nigeria are becoming a growing threat not only for the peace and security of Nigeria but to the whole region including Cameroon, Chad and Niger”, states the Council, stressing, in unanimous conclusions, the importance of “an urgent, comprehensive response … prevent further terrorist and criminal acts perpetrated by Boko Haram”. The Council says that the scale of the Boko Haram extremist threat requires a Nigerian, as well as a collective and comprehensive response to defeat terrorism.
The Council welcomed the decision of the states in the region, endorsed by the African Union, to deploy a multinational force. It gave assurances that the EU stands ready to provide support to this force with its full range of instruments, including the possibility of recourse to the African Peace Facility, the main financial instrument for the support of peace operations in Africa.
The Council says it is “particularly concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the attacks”, which have already displaced half a million people within Nigeria and hundreds of thousands to neighbouring countries. While noting it is the primary responsibility of states to protect civilians, the Council states that the EU will continue to provide emergency aid to those in need and will increase its humanitarian efforts throughout the region. It repeats that the EU will continue to support the efforts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries to promote the sustainable economic development of the Lake Chad region. (Aminata Niang)