Sudan-Niger agree to fight Boko Haram

December 24, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and the Republic of Niger have agreed to challenge terrorist groups active in the region, in particular the Nigerian Boko Hram , reaffirming their support to the regional and international effort to eliminate this menace.

Last November Sudan announced that it had deported Amino Siddig Aughoshi, a Boko Haram terrorist , to his country that accused him of blowing up a bus station in Abuja .

Aughoshi was handed to his Nigerian authorities according to an agreement for the exchange of criminals between the two countries and in conformity with the Interpol treaty.

Boko Haram is a Jihadist group claiming the establishment of an Islamic state in Nigeria. The group is also active in Mali, Niger and Chad. In March it pledged allegiance to the notorious Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) or Daesh.

In a closing statement issued Thursday in Khartoum after two days of talks between Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour and his Niger’s counterpart Aichatou Mane’ Boulama, the two sides said they had agreed to ‘’fight negative activities related to terror, money laundering, human trafficking, narcotics and the illegal trade in small and heavy arms and tarns-border crime.’’

They also expressed the need for security and peace in the West African region , primarily the restoration of stability to Mali and Libya and the backing of the peace initiatives seeking to normalize the situation in that region.

Last June five African states agreed to form a new military coalition to fight Boko Haram. The military alliance which includes Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, deployed some 8,700 troops in the joint borders.

Ghandour and Boulama also signed a memo of understanding , cooperation and political consultation between the two countries.

The two ministers have expressed the importance of cementing cooperation and coordination between Sudan and the Niger in regional and international forums ‘’in order to achieve the two countries mutual interests.’’

They also said they reject the unilateral economic embargo imposed on Sudan and support all efforts that seek to cancel it , ‘’because of its negative impact on the economic and humanitarian conditions in Sudan.’’

Sudan has expressed its desire to open an embassy in Niamey , according to the statement, that also expressed the need to resume the works of the joint ministerial committee and reactivate cooperation in all domains, in particular the economy, trade, education and culture.

(ST)