Security Council speaks on Boko Haram attacks

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Liu Jieyi (China):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the continued escalation of attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists, including on 3 February alongside the border between Cameroon and Nigeria, against the Chadian army contingent deployed to fight Boko Haram in Cameroon and Nigeria, which killed 13 Chadian soldiers and injured 21 others, and against the civilian population and Cameroonian troops which killed at least three Cameroonian soldiers and a sizeable number of civilians in Fotokol on 4 February.

The members of the Security Council noted that the Chadian military counter-attack against Boko Haram into Nigerian territory was conducted with the consent and the collaboration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose territorial integrity remained intact.

The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families of the victims and their sympathy to all those injured in these heinous attacks, as well as to the peoples and the Governments of the Republic of Chad and Cameroon.

The members of the Security Council commended the Chadian army's swift assistance in the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria, during which territory was recaptured from Boko Haram, and more than 200 Boko Haram terrorists were neutralized and equipment was recovered including a dozen vehicles mounted with heavy weapons.

Recalling presidential statement S/PRST/2015/4 of 19 January, the members of the Security Council reiterated their deep concern that the activities of Boko Haram are undermining the peace and stability of the West and Central African region.

The members of the Security Council urged the region to enhance regional military operations and coordination to more effectively and immediately combat Boko Haram.

In this regard, the members of the Security Council welcomed the convening of a meeting of experts in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 5 to 7 February 2015, following the recent African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to finalize the concept of operations for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and other related documents.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the actions of Boko Haram, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whosoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate with the relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.