U.N. relations with Nigeria 'intact' despite army raid on 'U.N. compound'

Record ID: 906102

  • Title: U.N. relations with Nigeria 'intact' despite army raid on 'U.N. compound'
  • Date: 12th August 2017
  • Summary: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA (AUGUST 12, 2017) (REUTERS) ENTRANCE TO UNITED NATIONS COMPOUND, CARS DRIVING PAST JOURNALISTS SEATED AT NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF UNITED NATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SEATED VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE UNITED NATIONS DEPUTY HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR NIGERIA, PETER LUNDBERG, SAYING: "I am very pleased to report that our relationship of collaboration and trust is intact, and at this stage we are focused on the work ahead to ensure that the millions of vulnerable people in the northeast are supported with life saving humanitarian aid. Responding to humanitarian needs of millions of people in the northeast remains our priority and focus each and every day." VARIOUS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BORNO STATE GOVERNOR, KASHIM SHETTIMA, SAYING: "The good people of Borno state are immensely grateful to the United Nations and all humanitarian outlets for our partnership that will remain. Yesterday's incident was a regrettable 24-hour setback. On our way to salvage the relationship with the U.N., we were quick to take steps in rebuilding our partnership with the United Nations. As chairman of the Borno state security council, I immediately convened a security council meeting in the government house here in Maiduguri yesterday and my good friend Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator Mr. Peter Lundberg was in attendance and so were the General Officer Commanding the 7th division of the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of SSS (State Security Service), the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the Deputy Governor of Borno state. We discussed all the issues and reaffirmed our joint agreement and commitment concerning the sincere role of the U.N., the sanctity of their premises and workers in line with best practices." NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF BORNO STATE GOVERNOR TALKING WITH U.N. OFFICIALS JOURNALISTS WALKING OUT OF THE U.N. COMPOUND, VEHICLES DRIVING OUT
  • Embargoed: 26th August 2017 19:29
  • Keywords: Maiduguri Nigeria U.N Raid Nigeria's military conducted on U.N compound
  • Location: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA
  • City: MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016TUOQ4N
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING
    The United Nations' relationship with Nigeria is intact, a U.N. official said on Saturday (August 12), despite a military raid on a compound belonging to the international body in the conflict-ridden northeast of the country.
    Friday's (August 11) raid had threatened to undermine an already-rocky relationship between Nigeria's military and the United Nations and other aid organisations.
    The Nigerian Army said it was a search for members of Islamist insurgency Boko Haram in Maiduguri, the epicentre of the fight against the militants, in an area of the city that included the U.N. compound.
    There is an on-going despite between the Army and United Nations over whether the compound was registered and designated as belonging to the United Nations.
    A worsening of relations between the U.N. and Nigeria could risk destabilising efforts to deliver aid to almost seven million people affected by the eight-year conflict with Boko Haram, which has driven at least two million people driven from their homes, left tens of thousands on the brink of famine and millions more without secure access to food.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2017. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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