Nigeria: Will negotiations to rescue hostages be a success or a failure?

(Baonghean.vn) - On Friday, October 17th, the Nigerian government announced that negotiations for the release of 200 schoolgirls abducted in April by the Boko Haram terrorist group had achieved some success.

On Friday, the Nigerian president and military announced they had signed a ceasefire agreement with the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. Hassan Tukur, an advisor to the Nigerian president, stated, "Boko Haram has agreed to release the schoolgirls who were abducted six months ago."

The Nigerian government announced that negotiations to rescue 200 hostages abducted in April have made new progress. (Photo: Abolabi Sotunde)

Since September, meetings between the Nigerian President and representatives of Boko Haram have been underway. Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat stated, “Reconciliation has begun as requested by both sides, who have agreed to resolve the dispute peacefully and in good faith.”

A week ago, the Islamist militant group released 10 Chinese and 17 Cameroonian hostages. Moussa Faki Mahamat explained that both sides agreed to observe the ceasefire further, and that negotiations for the hostages would resume within a week at the earliest. Nigerian authorities have pledged to release those being held captive by Boko Haram.

On April 15, Boko Haram militants stormed a school in Chibok, shooting at guards, burning down several houses, and abducting 267 girls aged 12 to 17. Dozens reportedly managed to escape.

Currently, the authenticity of the negotiations is being questioned. Marc-Antoine de Perouse Montclos, a researcher at the Institute for Development Studies (IRD), assessed, "This information needs to be placed in the context of the upcoming general elections across the country." Previously, the credibility of Nigerian authorities was severely damaged by the announcement of the death of Boko Haram leader Aboubakar Sheka.

Suspicions were raised again when Shehu Sani gave an interview on Friday. Shehu Sani stated, “I have never heard of this man who is supposedly representing Boko Haram. If Boko Haram declares a ceasefire, it will be announced by the group’s leader, Aboubakar Sheka.” Shehu Sani is known to be an expert on Boko Haram and has extensive experience negotiating with Boko Haram alongside the Nigerian government.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence announced that fierce fighting continued on Wednesday and Thursday in northern Cameroon near the Nigerian border, resulting in the deaths of eight Cameroonian soldiers and 107 Boko Haram militants.

Chu ThanhAccording to LeMonde, October 17th.