UK welcomes UN sanctions against Boko Haram

The United Kingdom has welcomed the move by the United Nations Security Council’s Al Qaida Sanctions Committee to approve the addition of Boko Haram to its list of groups subject to financial and arms sanctions. The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said the UK had shown its strong support for securing the listing and co-sponsored Nigeria’s proposal. Under the terms of the sanctions list it is now an offence for any individual or entity to provide financial or material support to Boko Haram, including the provision of arms or recruits. “I welcome the listing of Boko Haram by the UN Security Council’s Al Qaida Sanctions Committee. Boko Haram is an inhumane organisation who have no respect for religion or belief or a persons’ right to decide their way of life. Attacks by these violent extremists are causing suffering in communities across Nigeria, Hague said. “Britain was the first country to proscribe Boko Haram and was pleased to support Nigeria’s demand that the UN take action. At the Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria, Nigeria’s neighbours, the UK, US and EU all agreed to pursue sanctions against Boko Haram at the UN. This demonstrates the international community’s support for Nigeria’s efforts to tackle terrorism.”