Lagos - The United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, William Hague, will next week host the London Ministerial on Security in Northern Nigeria in the margins of the World Summit on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
This will bring together Nigeria, represented by its Foreign Minister, its neighbours Benin, Chad, Cameroon and Niger with the UK, US, France, Canada and the EU to continue the coordination necessary to defeat Boko Haram.
It follows the Paris summit on Boko Haram last month.
As well as taking forward agreements made in Paris, the meeting will consider what can be more done both to improve regional coordination, and on economic and social development to counter the threat of Boko Haram.
Hague said since the "appalling" abductions of over 200 school girls in Chibok by Boko Haram, the international community had worked together closely to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
"We have already reached agreements on intelligence sharing; coordinated border patrols; developing a regional Counter Terrorism strategy; and wider action, including supporting the victims of sexual violence and the empowerment of women and girls. This coordinated action has sent a powerful message of intent," he said.
"The London Ministerial on Security in Northern Nigeria will build on these agreements and consider further options to combat terrorism in Northern Nigeria. This shows the determination of those in the region, with the support of the international community, to defeat Boko Haram. We continue to work through our close international coordination on the ground in Nigeria to help secure the release of the abducted school girls."
Hague said it was appropriate that this meeting was taking place within the Summit on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict.
"The appalling abduction of the Nigerian school girls underlines the dreadful risk posed to women and girls in conflict and why we are mobilising the world to tackle sexual violence in conflict."
No comments:
Post a Comment