The
federal government will only continue negotiations with the Boko Haram
if they agree to involve international agencies like ICRC (Red Cross),
President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the role played by the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the release of the 21
abducted Chibok schoolgirls, urging it to sustain humanitarian interest
in Nigeria.
Meeting with Mr. Peter Maurer, ICRC President, at State House,
Abuja, Monday, President Buhari said his administration is prepared to
continue talks with the Boko Haram insurgent group, "as long as they agree to involve international agencies like ICRC."
“We've seen the result of recent talks, 21 of the Chibok girls are back,"
the President said, referring to the role played by ICRC in providing
immediate humanitarian assistance to the girls, who had spent over 900
days in the hands of their abductors.
President Buhari said Nigeria's biggest problem was perhaps the
issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs), noting that there were
over 2 million of them, "made up of over 60% women and children.
About 60% of the children don't know their parents, or where they come
from. It is weighing heavily on government."
On rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, President Buhari said it
was a priority of government, noting that the G7 had equally indicated
support, which Nigeria heartily welcomed.
"We appreciate all your efforts. I am pleased you recognized
that our military is cooperating with civil authorities, and respecting
humanitarian issues. It is a difficult time for Nigeria. About 27 of our
36 states couldn't pay salaries when we came last year, and we are
still struggling with that. But we will get out of it," the President said.
Maurer, the ICRC President, said their operation in the Lake Chad
region is the second largest in the world, after Syria, adding that
there are nutritional, health, water and sanitation issues in the
North-east, in addition to rebuilding of infrastructure.
"We are ready to engage and play supportive role in responding
to crisis in Nigeria. Security is a lot better than it was a year ago,
but humanitarian problems are serious, and don't disappear so quickly," Maurer said.
The ICRC President also commended Nigeria for granting increased
access to detainees, and exchanges with the Armed Forces. He added: "Detention facilities have improved, there are fewer deaths, and things are better health-wise."
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
October 17, 2016.
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