South Africa condemns Boko Haram attacks
13 January 2015
South Africa has joined the international community in condemning "in the strongest
possible terms the inhumane and barbaric attacks by Boko Haram against at least 16
towns and villages in the north and north east of the Federal Republic of Nigeria".
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) released a
statement in the wake of last week's massacres, in which 2 000 people were
reportedly killed and thousands more fled into neighbouring countries.
"Deliberate attacks against innocent civilians are contraventions of well-established
international human rights and humanitarian law and constitute a crime against
humanity," Dirco said.
"In this regard, the South African government reiterates its stance that terrorism in
any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned and South Africa stands
firmly with the international community in condemning all forms of terrorism, and
these acts in
particular. South Africa will continue to support regional and
international efforts to address the scourge of terrorism in all its forms."
South Africa extended its condolences to the Nigeria, especially to the families of the
deceased.
Boko Haram attacked the town of Baga and surrounding villages in Borno State,
northeastern Nigeria last week in what Amnesty International has said is possibly the
deadliest in the group's history.
"The attack on Baga and surrounding towns looks as if it could be Boko Haram's
deadliest act in a catalogue of increasingly heinous attacks carried out by the
group," said Daniel Eyre, Nigeria researcher for Amnesty International.
"If reports that the town was largely razed to the ground and that hundreds or even
as many as 2 000 civilians were killed are true, this marks a disturbing and bloody
escalation of Boko Haram's ongoing onslaught against the civilian population."
The attack reiterated "the urgent
need for Boko Haram to stop the senseless killing of
civilians and for the Nigerian government to take measures to protect a population
who live in constant fear of such attacks", he said.
UN secretary-general added his voice to the growing condemnation of the attack,
saying the UN was "ready to assist the Nigerian government and all affected
neighbouring states in bringing an end to the violence and to alleviate the suffering
of civilians with all available means and resources".
Other nations that have condemned the attack and spoken of their support for the
people of Nigeria, are France, itself suffering terrorist attacks last week; Canada; and
the United States.
"The perpetrators of these heinous attacks must be held accountable. Together with
its African and international partners, France stands resolutely alongside Nigeria in
the fight against terrorism," said France's ministry of foreign affairs.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister
John Baird said: "This ongoing brutality against
civilians is despicable. I am appalled by these reports of entire towns burnt to the
ground and the violent slaughter of entire communities.
"Canada, in solidarity with the international community, will continue to support the
people of Nigeria."
Washington issued a statement condemning "the recent escalation of attacks on
civilians carried out by Boko Haram, which shows no regard for human life. All those
responsible for these recurring terrorist attacks must be held accountable".
The US said it was committed to working with Nigeria and its neighbours to end the
scourge of Boko Haram.
SAinfo reporter
Abubakar Shekau, the Islamist leader of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram. (Image: WikiCommons: VOA, October 2014)
