The world must act swiftly against ‘new terrorism’

I would like to commence by appreciating your vision in convening this timely and crucial meeting. It underpins the long-standing commitment of the United States to the high aims of international peace and security. Our appreciation also goes to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, for the clarity and depth of his briefing.

The people of Nigeria and indeed the entire peace-loving world were horrified at the gruesome murder of two American journalists and a British aid worker by elements linked to the Islamic State (IS). These murders typify the new face of global terrorism marked by executions, extreme brutality and impunity.

Unfortunately, IS is not alone in this despicable campaign against humanity. Al Qaeda in the Arab Maghreb, Al Shabaab in Somalia, and Boko Haram in North Eastern Nigeria share this common agenda to unleash terror, mayhem, destruction, and instability around the world.

There is no doubt that foreign fighters have added a troubling dimension to this emerging phase of terrorism. From targeted attacks by Al Qaeda a few years ago, we now have mobile bands of thousands of terrorists sweeping across vast areas, destroying lives, and even attempting to hold territory. This is unacceptable; we must act now.

Nigeria knows too well the destructive effects of terrorist activities. Over the past five years, we have been, and are still confronting threats posed by Boko Haram to peace and stability predominantly in the North Eastern part of our country.

The costs are high: over 13,000 people have been killed, whole communities razed, and hundreds of persons kidnapped, the most prominent being the mindless kidnap of our innocent daughters from Chibok Secondary School, in North East Nigeria.

As daunting as the challenge may be, we have faced it with unrelenting determination, mobilising all the resources at our disposal to ensure that the scourge of terrorism is rooted out of our nation. In addition to our counterterrorism efforts, we have evolved initiatives to alleviate the plight of the population in the affected communities.

These include a holistic effort through the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE) which is aimed at providing immediate relief and fast tracking the infrastructural re-development of the region.  It also has as a core goal, an integrated effort at achieving the de-radicalisation of potential terrorist recruits.

We have also launched a Victims Support Fund which has already raised about 500 million dollars of the expected minimum of one billion dollars in direct support of the victims of acts of terrorism. This is in addition to the Safe Schools Initiative championed by Mr. Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister and currently the UN Special Envoy for Global Education. This initiative is being rigorously supported by Nigeria’s Federal Government.

Let me thank President Obama and the US Government for the security governance initiative following the US-Africa Summit last August. I believe, if expeditiously implemented, the initiative will enhance security on the continent.

We must now capitalize on the commitment and evident determination of the Security Council to seek more innovative responses to the threat of terrorism and in particular to the growing menace of foreign fighters.

The Council should be concerned about the existence of sources of arming and funding terrorists. Evidence has shown that Boko Haram, for instance, is resourced largely from outside our country.

We must also commit to ensuring that countries which are in the frontline of this challenge, receive adequate support from the international community. The Resolution that we have adopted here today is a critical first step in mobilising international action.

Only by united action and firm resolve can we check this raging threat to humanity, and also build the enduring structures that will resist their re-emergence.

I thank you.

*Adapted from remarks by President Jonathan at the high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday September 24, 2014