Developments in Nigeria top discussions between UN chief and foreign minister

Recent developments in Nigeria, including progress in the investigation of last year’s bomb attack against the United Nations offices in the capital, Abuja, topped discussions today between Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ayodeji Ashiru.

Twenty-five people, including 13 UN staff, died in the attack on 26 August last year.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Ashiru also exchanged views on how best to enhance the fight against piracy off West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, with the Secretary-General commending Nigeria for its crucial support of neighbouring Benin through the joint patrols the two countries are conducting along their shared coastline in an effort to stem the scourge.

The Secretary-General also thanked Mr. Ashiru for the support Nigeria provided to the recent UN-African Union mission to Africa’s Sahel region to assess the impact of the Libyan crisis on countries in the area, according to a readout of the meeting provided by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson.

Discussions between the two leaders also touched on the situation in Somalia, including the need to continue to support the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM), and the timely implementation of the road map designed to restore peace and stability in the Horn of Africa country. They also discussed the situation in the Sudan’s Darfur region.