President Jonathan, N’Guesso Urge African Leaders To Intensify Efforts To Eradicate Terrorism.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and President Denis Sassou N’guesso of the Republic of Congo Tuesday called on African leaders, the African Union and its Peace and Security Council to intensify efforts aimed at the eradication of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the continent.

In a communiqué issued at the end of President Jonathan’s visit to Oyo,  for consultations on regional security ahead of the 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, President 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, both 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.

President 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.

The President 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.

She also expressed her government’s appreciation of Nigeria’s continued support and assistance for development in Gambia.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

May 13, 2014