Condemning Suicide Attacks in Chad, Secretary-General Commends Country, Subregion for Combating Boko Haram, Urges Holding of Central, West African Leader Summit

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the five simultaneous suicide attacks in Baga Sola sous-préfecture, Chad, on 10 October, which resulted in the death and injury of scores of civilians.  He deplores that three of the suicide bombers were reportedly young girls.  The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Chad.

The Secretary-General commends Chad for its role in the fight against Boko Haram, as well as the countries of the Lake Chad Basin for their collective efforts to address this scourge.  He encourages the holding of the postponed Summit of Heads of State of Central and West Africa, as soon as possible, as a further way to tackle the threat of terrorism in the region, and its root causes, in a holistic manner and in full respect of international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.