FG, BOKO HARAM SIGN CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA *Schoolgirls’ release imminent, says French president *Shettima: We hope it leads to a lasting peace in Borno *Ezekwesili: We’re cautiously optimistic *Omeri: Chibok girls alive By Yemi Adebowale in Lagos, Chuks Okocha, Senator Iroegbu and Adebiyi Adedapo in Abuja After repeatedly snubbing all peace entreaties, Boko Haram has finally signed a ceasefire agreement with the federal government in Saudi Arabia. This followed a series of losses it suffered on the battle field to the military, including the killing of the new “Shekau”. Reacting to the news, French President François Hollande welcomed the development and said the schoolgirls’ release was imminent. “Boko Haram have said they will free these young girls and we have information that this will happen in the coming hours or days,” she said during a meeting at the OECD in Paris. The peace deal came on the heels of the confirmation by the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Coordinator, National Information Centre (NIC), Mr. Mike Omeri, that the abducted Chibok schoolgirls were hale and hearty. While the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, attributed the success of the deal with Boko Haram to President Goodluck Jonathan’s shuttle diplomacy to Niger and Chad Republic, Borno State Governor Kassim Shettima welcomed the ceasefire, describing it as “a most welcome development.” Shettima said: “We hope it leads to a long lasting peace in Borno State and the nation as a whole. It can help us to facilitate the process of reconciliation, rehabilitation and development.” The ceasefire agreement was announced by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh at the end of the two-day Coordinating Conference on Cameroon-Nigeria Trans-Border Military Operations at the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Headquarters in Abuja. As at press time, details of the ceasefire were still sketchy, with no information on those who signed for both parties. However, a presidency source said consistent losses suffered by the terrorist group and the renewed determination of the military to wipe them out forced the sect to sign the ceasefire deal. The Boko Haram terrorists have been causing havoc in the North-east through a wave of bombings, assassinations and abductions, arsons, vandalism and all manners of criminalities while fighting to “overthrow the government and create an Islamic state.” Badeh said that the ceasefire agreement with the terrorists would not affect the accord reached with Cameroon for joint security border operations. He further directed all the service chiefs to comply with the new ceasefire agreement. He said: “Without any prejudice to the outcome of our three-day interactions and the conclusions of this forum, I wish to inform this audience that a ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the federal government of Nigeria and the Ahlul Sunna Li Daawa Wal Jihad. “I have accordingly directed the service Chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.” The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, also confirmed the ceasefire agreement, adding that details and further clarification would be made by the Presidency. Olukolade said: “A ceasefire agreement has been reached and you heard the CDS that this meeting was without prejudice to any agreement or arrangement.” Olukolade said that the current agreement was in furtherance of various bilateral meetings between Nigeria and Cameroun in the past. He said that the joint security conference focused on difficult issues of terrorism, refugees, treatment of prisoners and hostages amongst others. How Jonathan’s shuttle diplomacy led to ceasefire… Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe yesterday linked the ceasefire agreement signed by Boko Haram to President Jonathan’s recent shuttle diplomacy to Niger and Chad Republic. He also gave insight to the role played by the Prime Minister of Chad, Idris Derby and raised expectations that the Boko Haram menace would eventually become history. In an interview with THISDAY, Okupe said: “The federal government has reached an agreement of a ceasefire with the leaders of the Boko Haram and in full compliance with this, has directed the military to respect the ceasefire.” Okupe also raised hope that the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls may be released next week “The implementation of this ceasefire was signed today and further agreements on this deal, including the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls are part of this agreement. Discussions and negotiations started several months ago,” he said yesterday. Okupe further said that the Prime Minister of Chad Republic played a crucial role in the signing of the ceasefire agreement. “This agreement is also part of the release deal of the wife of the deputy prime minister of Cameroun, Kidnapped Chinese officials and the traditional ruler of a border town between Nigeria and Cameroun. “There will be further meeting to discuss other issue relating to the agreement and ceasefire,” he said. Asked to disclose the Nigerians and global leaders involved in this agreement, Okupe said: “The entire agreement is being handled in utmost confidentiality and the Chadians involved are full of hope that the deal will work out and the details of this agreement will be fully complied with.” Chibok girls alive, says Omeri … The Director General of the NOA in a statement friday also confirmed discussion between the federal government and representatives of Boko Haram, leading to the current ceasefire agreement. According to Omeri, “The discussions are essentially in relation to the general insecurity in the North-east and also the need to rescue all captives of the terrorists, including the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.” He said that from the discussions, the terrorist group indicated their desire for and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues. Omeri also announced the assurance by Boko Haram that the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and all other people in their captivity are all alive. “In this regard, the government of Nigeria has, in similar vein, declared a ceasefire. This is to assure Nigerians that the greater goal of this process is to ensure the return of normalcy in the land, especially in parts of the country troubled by the activities of terrorists,” said the NOA boss. He emphasized that Jonathan’s commitment to peace and security in Nigeria and indeed, all parts of the world had been the driving force of all engagements and measures taken since the war on terror began in the country. Nigeria, Cameroon to begin cross-border security operations… Prior to the announcement, Nigeria and Cameroonian military issued a joint statement signalling a new phase of coordinated security operations along their common borders. The communique, which was issued at the end of the maiden Coordinating Conference on Cameroun-Nigeria Trans-Border Military Operations, have English and French versions, which was read by Air Commodore AC Okpala on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces, while the French version was read by Col. Chimi Paul of the Cameroonian Armed Forces. The communique reads: The Nigerian CDS laid special emphasis on the excellent state of cooperation between the two countries and the will for the collective determination to address the challenges of terrorism and other acts of criminality confronting both countries especially in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). The Cameroonian CDS has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts to address issues bordering on cross border problems and challenges existing along the common borders of both countries. The objective of the meeting was to enhance cooperation and collaboration to agree on ways and means for effective military operations to curb the insecurity and criminality between our common borders. This discussion focused on coordination, intelligence sharing, communication, media plan and procedures of handling displaced persons and refugees. The meeting resolved that each party should coordinate and plan its operations under the agreed permanent simultaneous operations while guaranteeing information flow through agreed liaison officers and focal points at the tactical operational levels as agreed during the deliberations. The meeting for the second coordinating conference of the armed forces of the two countries would be held in Cameroun at a later date. Badeh, while speaking before signing the communique together with his Cameroonian counterpart, Lt-Gen. MEKA Rene Claude, expressed delight at the high level of rapprochement between the two neighbouring countries in the area of security operations. “I am delighted to witness this momentous occasion of the signing of the communique, which we have agreed upon,” Badeh said, while giving assurance that the cooperation “will help both countries tackle common challenges of insecurity.” I hope in nearest future you will invite us to Cameroon not to discuss the current issues but on a different matter, he said. Ezekwesili: We’re cautiously optimistic… Former minister and one of the #BringBackOurGirls promoters, Obiageli Ezekwesili, said the pressure group received news of the ceasefire with cautious optimism. A statement from the group reads: “Local and international news media have been agog with news that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Boko Haram Sect have reached a cease-fire, which also includes the release of the 219 abducted Chibok girls. While we await official confirmation from our President over this development, we are extremely anxious but cautiously optimistic that the abducted Chibok girls will be released swiftly or at least in a matter of days. “Beyond the release of the Chibok girls, we call on the FG to also ensure the release of all other Nigerians and non-Nigerians that have been abducted by the sect before and after the Chibok girls were kidnapped. “Early evidence of the workings of the ceasefire will help considerably to boost public confidence. So we encourage the FG to release as much information as possible, within reasonable constraints. “The #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Movement will continue to monitor the situation and provide any update as events unfold. We thank all our partners and supporters globally whove supported the movement since inception and continue to do so till date.” • Founded in 2002 • Official Arabic name, Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad, means People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophets Teachings and Jihad • Initially focused on opposing Western education - gaining the nickname Boko Haram, which means Western education is forbidden in the Hausa language • Launched military operations in 2009 to create Islamic state • Founding leader Mohammed Yusuf killed in 2009 same year in police custody, succeeded by Abubakar Shekau • Madalla Catholic Church attacked December 25, 2011 • Jonathan declares a state of emergency in May 2013 in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa • Attacks boarding school in Buni Yadi, Yobe State in March, killing over 50 pupils • Nyanya bombing April 14, 2014 which killed over 170 people • Over 270 schoolgirls kidnaped in Chibok in April; 2014 still missing • Declared terrorist group by US in 2013 • A new leader masquerading as “Shekau” killed by military in September 24, 2014 • Nigerian Air Force Plane on a mission against Boko Haram crashes Sept. 14 • Shekau the 3rd emerges on Oct. 2 • Renewed military onslaught leads to the killing of thousands of its fighters in Sept./October 2014 • October 17, signs peace deal • About 13,000 killed, mostly in North-eastern Nigeria by sect PHOTO: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh THIS DAY OCTOBER 18, 2014
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:47:02 +0000
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