Central Africa supports ECOWAS to combat Boko Haram


Accra, Feb 24, GNA –  The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on Tuesday pledged their unflinching support to the Economic Community of West African States( ECOWAS) in fighting against the Islamic terrorist group; Boko Haram, in Nigeria and beyond.

Represented by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, and President Dennis Sassou-N’Guesso of Congo, the Community also promised to lend both financial and logistics support for the fight against terrorism in Africa.

These came to light when the two leaders held a closed door meeting with President Mahama at the Peduase, in the Eastern Region.

The two visiting Presidents are representatives of the ECCAS, which includes Chad, and Cameroon.

At their last meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, the Heads of State and Government of ECCAS expressed appreciation to the African Union for the deployment of the Multinational Joint Force against Boko Haram.

They also mandated the Presidents of Congo and Equatorial Guinea to discuss further strategies and common issues with the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority.

Their meeting was, therefore, to cement on-going discussions and throw their support behind Nigeria and West Africa, a whole, in the fight against the atrocities in Northern Nigeria.

President Mahama thanked them for their support and gave the assurance that they would work hand in hand with other collaborators to subdue the inhuman practice in Northern Nigeria and beyond.

The two leaders have since returned to their respective countries.

Founded in 2002, Boko Haram’s official name is Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means “People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad”.

However, according to a BBC article, the residents in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri, where the group had its headquarters, named it Boko Haram.

The group has used series of bombings, assassinations, abductions, and currently guerilla tactics in its bid to overthrow the Nigerian Government and create an Islamic State.

Several thousands of people have reportedly been massacred since the group started its military operation in 2009.

Last year, it declared the areas it controls as a caliphate.

GNA


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