UN rep. calls for regional response against Boko Haram

A representative of the United Nations called Friday in Abuja for a "regional response" against the Islamists sect Boko Haram, which ravaged the northeast of Nigeria for six years and are exporting their fight to the border countries.

"We see Boko Haram moving to neighbouring countries", Leila Zerrougui, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Representative for children and conflict noted, before adding: "This requires a regional response". "It is therefore extremely important that the international community, neighboring countries and the Nigerian Government take steps to ensure that it ceases", she continued.

Boko Haram now controls almost all of the Nigerian border region joining Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The Chadian army moved Friday to neighboring Cameroon to battle against armed Islamists, accused by Washington and Paris of 'crimes against humanity' after a series of deadly attacks in Nigeria. However, Ms. Zerrougui said that the fight against Boko Haram should come "first and foremost from Nigeria, to the extent of its abilities".

Regarding international assistance, she said with a tiny diplomatic caution, "it is not for me to decide. If Nigeria thinks they can fend for themselves alone, they will manage but if they need external support, they would seek partners." Ms. Zerrougui was speaking after visiting camps for internally displaced persons in Yola, capital of Adamawa state, in the Northeast.