US commends President Buhari for hosting security summit

Amb.David Pressman, United States Alternate Representative to the United
Nations for Special Political Affairs, on Friday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for recently hosting a regional security summit in Abuja.

Pressman said in a statement that the U.S. Government was encouraged by President Buhari’s decision to host the security summit for leaders
committed to ending the activities of Boko Haram.

‘’The United States is encouraged that under Nigerian President Buhari’s leadership, a Security Summit of regional leaders, committed to carrying out a “sustained, comprehensive approach’’ against Boko Haram was organised.

“This, couples with rights-respecting security operations and civilian efforts to restore stability, promote governance and economic development to break the cycle of violence in all countries where Boko Haram is active.

‘“The UN system, including the Special Representatives for West Africa and the Sahel and Central Africa, should continue to assist the Lake Chad Basin region to implement such a comprehensive strategy,’’ it said.

According to the statement, it is only a comprehensive strategy that mobilises stakeholders, including development and humanitarian actors,
that can address terrorism in the region.

It also urged the UN to mainstream preventing violent extremism and counter-terrorism issues throughout its core work on peace and
security and sustainable development.

According to the statement, activities of the Boko Haram crisis have disrupted farming and trade and cut off communities from the means they require to subsist and to survive.

“Today, an estimated 4.2 million people are in need of emergency food assistance in the Lake Chad Basin region and 2.6 million are displaced
within Nigeria and the neighbouring countries.

“From Mauritania and Mali to the Lake Chad Basin, to the Horn of Africa, we see the complex challenges exacerbated by climate change on peace, stability, and security,’’ it added.