Jonathan, N’guesso task African leaders on terrorism

By Abdullahi M. Gulloma
Abuja

President Goodluck Jonathan and President Denis Sassou N’guesso of the Republic of Congo yesterday called on African leaders, the African Union and its Peace and Security Council to intensify efforts to eradicate Boko Haram and other terrorist groups on the continent.
In a communiqué issued at the end of Jonathan’s visit to Oyo for consultations on regional security ahead of tomorrow’s meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council in the Congolese town, both leaders reiterated their condemnation of the mass abduction of college girls from Chibok and demanded the unconditional liberation of the girls and all others being held against their will by Boko Haram.

Expressing their full appreciation of the international community’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to locate and rescue the abducted girls, Jonathan and his Congolese counterpart urged the global community to remain united and steadfast in its rejection of all forms of terrorism.
At the regional level, the presidents expressed their support for all initiatives aimed restoring peace and normalcy to the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

They also welcomed the ceasefire agreement in South Sudan and urged both parties to the conflict to respect the commitments they made in Addis Ababa on May 9, 2014.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, who has since returned to Abuja, received the outgoing High Commissioner of Gambia in Nigeria, Mrs. Angela Colley-Iheme Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential Villa.

He commended Mrs. Colley-Iheme for her tireless efforts to maintain and enhance the long-standing cordial relations between Nigeria and Gambia. He wished her success in her future endeavours.

Mrs. Colley-Iheme thanked the president, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria for the full support, cooperation and affection she enjoyed during her five and half years tenure in the country.