Press Statement

“We must fight against the abduction of girls”
- Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 7 May 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has totally condemned the abduction of schools in Nigeria by suspected militants of the extremist group Boko Haram, as part of their strategy to terrorise and scare into submission the Nigerian public and the world at large.

After over 200 girls were taken away from their school in Chibok, in Borno State in mid April 2014, more girls are reported to have been abducted in Warabe village, in the same Nigerian Borno State.

Speaking during the visit of the Chinese Premier, the AU Commission Chairperson re-echoed the Heads of State and Government call to Silence the guns by 2020. Addressing the situation of the kidnapped girls, which Dr. Dlamini Zuma described as unacceptable, she said “we have to campaign against the abduction of school girls, because girls need education, girls need to be at school. It is their right.”

Dr. Dlamini Zuma calls on all African Union Member States and the international community to support the Nigerian Government to energetically fight the abduction of girls, senseless killings and series of other vices perpetuated by the militant group Boko Haram.

JEE/