Jonathan seeks UN assistance to reconstruct reclaimed territories

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday appealed to the United Nations to focus more on helping Nigeria with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of persons and communities affected by terrorism in Northern Nigeria rather than deploying an international force in the country.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted the President as speaking while granting an audience to the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and Central Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, and Abdoulaye Bathily.

Jonathan said UN intervention in Nigeria should not be based on Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which relates to military enforcement of peace, but on Chapter 8.

The President said the provisions of Chapter 8 of the UN Charter, which recognises the role of regional bodies such as the African Union in working with the United Nations for the promotion of peace and security, were robust enough to tackle insurgency in Nigeria and other African countries.

He also told the UN envoys that with the cooperation of neighbouring countries, the Nigerian military had already regained most of the territories seized by Boko Haram in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno states.

He disclosed that troops had now commenced a final push to take the last stronghold of the insurgents in Sambisa Forest.

Chambas commended the President for his statesmanship following the outcome of the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria.

He conveyed UN Secretary-General’s personal admiration for Jonathan’s “exemplary leadership’’ with regard to the conduct of the general elections in Nigeria.

“We are hoping that other African countries, who are holding elections this year, will learn from the good example of Nigeria,’’ the envoy reportedly told Jonathan.
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