INSURGENCY DISPLACES 700,000 PERSONS IN NIGERIA, SAYS UN
The United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), said on Monday in Abuja that no fewer than 700,000 Nigerians were displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Mr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN for West Africa, said this at the 46th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government (HOSG).
Chambas, who put the number of refugees and returnees in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger at about 142,000 persons called on all parties concerned to intensify efforts at ensuring the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals were met.
``The Boko Haram insurgency continues to create mayhem as innocent civilian populations are being killed and entire communities are living under very challenging security situations.
``The regional dimension of this violent extremism is more than ever visible.
``The number of refugees and returnees in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger is estimated at about 142,000 persons.
``In Nigeria Internally Displaced Persons are estimated to be about 700,000.
``Efforts need to be stepped up to globally and comprehensively combat the insurgency.
``The issue of youth unemployment needs to be urgently addressed and the attainment of the objectives of the MDGs which has been shadowed by the many security challenges we're facing, not only on the African continent but the entire world, needs to be refocused.
``The nexus between peace, security and development cannot be overemphasised,`` he said.
The UN representative also commended ECOWAS for restoring political stability in Burkina Faso.
He said: ``UN will remain actively engaged jointly with ECOWAS to prepare for transparent, free, and fair elections that will mark the end of the transition period in 2015.
``Events in Burkina Faso should be viewed as a call for improved governance and especially participative democracy which allows the driving force in our region.``
Chambas also called for concerted efforts at ensuring violent-free elections in member-states preparing to hold elections in 2015.
Such countries include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire.
He also called for coordinated efforts at stopping the spread of the Ebola virus and reiterated the UN’s continued support in the implementation of developed mechanisms.
In his address, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Amb. Kadre Ouedraogo, said the combined efforts of ECOWAS and the international community had led to the development of mechanisms to tackle the scourge.
``The mobilisation of the entire community for the member-states affected by the Ebola disease has led to the setting up the Regional Solidarity Fund and mechanisms to coordinate the activities to be conducted in the various member states,`` he said.
He said that decisions taken by the HOSG at its summits held in July and November were being implemented to facilitate integration in the sub-region.
``I am hopeful that the launch of construction works at the Seme joint border post between Benin and Nigeria would ensure free movement of persons and goods within the community.
``We have also continued to support Guinea Bissau in its post-electoral reconstruction phase for the success of the programme for development in unity, peace, and stability embarked upon by the new authorities.
``These and more are all reasons we should consider the future with peace of mind,`` he said
He also assured of the continued support of the commission in the transition process in Burkina Faso.
Ouedraogo, who later inaugurated the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET), said the CET would help promote investment and establish closer political and cultural ties between the member countries.
He said the meeting would consider the annual report of the ECOWAS Commission.
The meeting is also expected to be briefed on the situation in Burkina Faso and the political security situation in the sub-region. (NAN)
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