The Nigerian government on Monday confirmed that it is in talks with the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has carried out an increasing number of attacks in the country in the past year.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s office confirmed with reporters, according to The Vanguard, that the talks are indeed going on, despite Boko Haram denying them.
“I think a lot of people are under the impression that the dialogue involves a situation whereby government officials are sitting on one side, Boko Haram persons are sitting on the other side in an air-conditioned room and there are negotiations across the table,” media advisor Reuben Abati said.
“That is not the form of the dialogue,” he continued, adding that “back room channels are being used” to understand the grievances of Boko Haram, which has killed hundreds of people this year in bomb and gun attacks. The name Boko Haram means “Western education is sacrilege.” The U.S. State Department considers it a terrorist group.
Several days earlier, Boko Haram denied the group had been meeting with government officials.
The sect’s spokesperson, Abu Qaqa, said in an email statement that the government had fabricated the peace talks “in order to mislead Nigerians on the crusade we are waging, and that by the grace of Allah, they will not succeed,” according to The Nation newspaper.
Qaqa also threatened media organizations in the country.
“The media should know that as far as we are concerned, there is no difference between those that are fighting us with weapons (security forces) and those that are fighting us with their tongues and pens,” he said.
