ICC Note:
“Negotiations” with Boko Haram to release the 200 girls they kidnapped, a majority of whom are Christian, are “ongoing” say the Nigerian government. Boko Haram has targeted Christians in a type of religious cleansing for years, and the targeted kidnapping of these girls seems to be no different. While the government negotiates with the elusive terrorist group, the girls remain in harms way.
10/28/2014 Nigeria (BBC)-A presidential spokesman said he was optimistic that something “concrete and positive” would come out of the talks.
There has been no comment from Boko Haram, and violence in northern Nigeria has continued.
More than 200 schoolgirls are still being held by the group, which has been fighting an insurgency since 2009.
The military had said they were expecting their release by Friday, but only two of the girls have been freed, and the circumstances surrounding their release are unclear.
At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram this year.
‘Optimistic’
Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago when they abducted the schoolgirls from the north-eastern town of Chibok in Borno state.
The girls’ continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government’s efforts to secure their release.
Nigerian presidential spokesman Reuben Abati told the BBC that that the governments of Cameroon and Chad were also involved with the negotiations.
Their involvement is viewed as significant because Boko Haram frequently move across borders.
Mr Abati added that it was “difficult to put a time frame” to the negotiations.
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