China has welcomed Africa’s efforts to combat the threat of the Boko Haram Islamist militants in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, but warns that it remains unclear what role the United Nations (UN), particularly the Security Council, will play in sanctioning a newly agreed regional force.
China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Liu Jieyi, who has assumed the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month on February, explained here this week that Council would look carefully at proposals regarding the new African Union backed force in its fight against the terrorist group.
While the Security Council awaits a concept of operations document from the AU Commission regarding the force, the matter remains off the official agenda.
"So far, it is not really within the Council as to what specifically the role of the Council should be or the role of the UN should be in this effort but I'm sure the Council members will look very carefully at whatever proposal is coming this way from the countries," said Liu.
Of particular concern to the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be the levels of international support it will get for the new regional task force, particularly on questions of financing and operational and logistical support.
"We believe that it is important for the international community to rally behind African efforts to fight terrorism. So, it is a worthy effort by the African countries. We highly appreciate their working together to address this growing problem of Boko Haram in Africa," said Liu.
"Terrorism is a common threat, the African countries rising up to the situation and fighting terrorism is a contribution not only to the stability and peace in Africa but also to the international efforts in the world to fight terrorism."
The recent AU Summit in Addis Ababa and the AU Peace and Security Council affirmed at the weekend the creation of a 7,500-strong force while its communiqué urged the UN Security Council to endorse the effort, including the establishment of a Trust Fund to finance operations.
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