Security Council Press Statement on Acts of Terrorism in Lake Chad Basin Region

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Singer Weisinger (Dominican Republic):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack on 23 March 2020 in Boma, Chad, which resulted in at least 98 killed and 47 wounded, and the attack on military vehicles near Goneri in Yobe State, Nigeria, the same day, which resulted in at least 47 killed.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of Chad and Nigeria, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of countries in the Lake Chad Basin region, including through the Multinational Joint Task Force, to effectively combat terrorism and expressed their solidarity with the Governments of Chad and Nigeria in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the countries of Lake Chad Basin region and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.