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Africa Subsaharan | |||||
Jonathan in challenge to Boko Haram | |||||
2012-01-27 | |||||
The president of Nigeria has challenged the Islamist He said if they did not identify themselves, talks were impossible.
"See, as a president of a country you will not preside over dead bodies. You will be a president of people who are alive. So if they clearly identify themselves then there will be a basis for dialogue." He acknowledged the fears of the United Nations and neighbouring governments that the groups training and arming were being bolstered by Jihadist allies such al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and al-Shabaab. In Kano, Christian leaders have welcomed the President's appeal for dialogue to end the current state of insecurity. The group has acknowledged carrying out attacks on police stations and other official buildings. But in a message posted on YouTube, Abubakar Shekau blamed the deaths of "innocent civilians" on Nigeria's security forces. Nigeria's authorities deny the allegations. Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden", says it wants to overthrow the government and impose Islamic law.
The still picture posted on YouTube shows Mr Shekau dressed in a black turban and a white gown and bullet-proof vest - holding an AK 47 rifle. He reiterated claims that the Nigerian government would not be able to stop Boko Haram - and demanded the release from prison of all its members. On Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan sacked the chief of police, Hafiz Ringim, forcing him to retire early, a statement from the presidency said. There had been calls for the police chief's resignation since a man suspected of masterminding Boko Haram's Christmas Day bomb attacks on churches escaped from police custody earlier this month. | |||||
Posted by:Steve White |
#1 Good luck, Mr. President. You're gonna need it. |
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2012-01-27 11:43 |