UN Imposes Sanctions On Boko Haram

The UN Security Council’s Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee on Thursday approved the addition of Boko Haram to its list of groups subject to financial and arms sanctions.

The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria sponsored the proposal to add  the terrorist group to UN sanctions list.

Under the terms of the sanctions, it is now an offence for any individual or entity to provide financial or material support to Boko Haram, including the provision of arms or recruits.

Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, Prof. Joy Ogwu, catalogued Boko Haram atrocities in the country, including the Aug 26, 2011 bomb attack on UN building in Abuja.

In his reaction, the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, welcomed the resolution, saying the UK had shown its strong support for securing the listing and co-sponsored Nigeria’s proposal.

“I welcome the listing of Boko Haram by the UN Security Council’s Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.

“Boko Haram is an inhumane organisation who has no respect for religion or belief or a persons’ right to decide their way of life.

“Attacks by these violent extremists are causing suffering in communities across Nigeria.

Britain was the first country to proscribe Boko Haram and was pleased to support Nigeria’s demand that the UN take action.

Hague recalled that at  the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria last Saturday, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin, agreed to pursue sanctions against Boko Haram at the UN.

He said the UK, U.S. and EU also supported the move which demonstrated the international community’s support for Nigeria’s neighbours.