U.N. Security Council Blacklists Boko Haram, Imposes Sanctions

THE United Nations (UN) Security Council Committee on al Qaeda, on Thursday, blacklisted Nigeria’s Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, after the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls, diplomats said.

The sanctions on the group, according to Reuters, included an international asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

It will be recalled that Nigeria requested the listing of Boko Haram earlier this week. United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, said in a statement:

“Today, the Security Council took an important step in support of the government of Nigeria’s efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities. By adding Boko Haram to the UN’s 1267 (al Qaeda) sanctions list, the Security Council has helped to close off important avenues of funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram, and shown global unity against their savage actions,” she said.

In another development, the United States has said it hopes to see the girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, reunited with their families soon, adding that it was also preparing for a long, tough fight to defeat Boko Haram and to help the Nigerian people realise the full political and economic potential of the country.