BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The National Assembly of Niger has unanimously voted to send troops to fight Boko Haram, as part of a coalition to stop the Nigerian Islamist group. One member of parliament said the resolution authorises the country to send some 750 troops to Nigeria, where the Boko Haram insurgency has been centred.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the MPs votes have determined that the text under consideration, a resolution authorizing the President of the Republic to send troops in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as part of the multinational joint force in the Lake basin, is adopted; 101 in favour, none against and no abstentions." Said Amadou Salifou, President of National Assembly of Niger.
"We will wage war on Boko Haram until we remove their last stronghold. We will soon issue a decree that will allow us to make the most out of our systematic and organized ways, to be able to flush out potential Boko Haram infiltrators and accomplices." Said Karidio Mahamadou, Niger's Defense Minister.
The decision was reached after Boko Haram stormed across Nigeria's border into Niger, launching attacks on the border towns. The latest attack in the town of Diffa killed five people on Monday and seriously wounded as many more.
Last weekend, Nigeria and its neighbours Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin agreed to muster 8,700 troops, police and civilians for a wider, African Union-backed force against Boko Haram.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
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