– Switzerland has revealed why the country helped Nigeria secure the release of 82 of the abducted Chibok girls recently
– ZENITHBLOG.com recently reported that 82 Chibok girls were freed by the Boko Haram insurgents
– The released girls also met the president before his medical trip
The spokes person of Switzerland Foreign Ministry Noemie Charton said Switzerland took part in negotiations that secured the release of 82 girls kidnapped by Nigerian terror group Boko Haram..
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He said the country took part “at the request of Nigeria” and due to “humanitarian concerns”.
He said the country took part “at the request of Nigeria” and due to humanitarian concerns
Earlier in May, a Boko Haram faction released the girls, who had been held captive for three years, in exchange for prisoners.
Those freed were part of a group of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped from the Chibok village, in the restive Borno state, in April 2014.
Nigeria thanked Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as local and international NGOs for helping secure the release of the girls.
“Switzerland’s commitment is motivated by humanitarian concerns.
“Switzerland’s engagement in this operation was guided by the principles of strict neutrality and non-interference.”
Charton added that Switzerland is calling on the release of the rest of the Chibok girls still held captive by the group.
At least 21 Chibok girls were released last October in another deal brokered by Switzerland and the Red Cross. It is believed 114 girls are still in Boko Haram custody.
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“The process of negotiation with groups like Boko Haram is very complex and stressful and requires
“The Switzerland representative played an active role in organising negotiations from within Nigeria and outside Nigeria along with local key actors like Barrister Zannah Mustapha and [human rights activist and lawyer] Asiha Wakil who wield trust due to their pre-existing relationships with one or more factions,” he continued.
Details of the negotiations that resulted in the release of the girls have not been disclosed and little is known about the identity of the prisoners.
However, Otto – who said his company TGS Consulting was involved in negotiations – said the the prisoners are “influential Boko Haram commanders”.
” he said.
Ryan Cummings, director of political and security risk management consultancy, Signal Risk, told IBTimes UK: “It is difficult to speculate the impact that the release of the detained commanders would have on the operational capacity of the sect, given that we do not know the identities of the operatives released as a result of the hostage exchange.
Recall that ZENITHBLOG.com also reported that the federal government swapped five Boko Haram militants for the 82 Chibok schoolgirls recently released.
This is contrary to some media reports that just two Boko Haram commanders were released in the swap deal.
According to negotiator of the swap deal, the outcome should be seen as “a favourable bargain,” considering what obtained in other climes when it comes to prisoner swap of innocent citizens with suspected terrorists.
Meanwhile, watch this touching ZENITHBLOG.com TV video of child survivors of Boko Haram activities in the northeast narrating their ordeal.
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