Boko Haram/ISWAP: Red Cross Reveals Role In Negotiations

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says its role in Nigeria does not involve taking part in the negotiation process between the Federal Government, the military and Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The body also declared that it has never and would not take the side of any party, insisting that ICRC remained focused on its effort of providing succour to insurgency victims and other civilians.
The Communications Coordinator, ICRC Nigeria, Mr Vincent Pouget, said this yesterday, in a chat with PRNigeria, while commenting on the processes that led to the rescue of some kidnapped Chibok and Dapchi girls in Borno and Yobe states.
Pouget stated that there were a lot of misinformation on the role ICRC played in the release of over a hundred students of Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi and Government Girls Secondary School (GSS), Chibok.
He said: “Both parties agreed on the release of the girls without us being involved. The ICRC was not at all part of the negotiation process. It was when they agreed for the release that they asked ICRC to provide logistics like transport. That’s only what we provided.
“We have a bit problem with perception in the North-East because people thought that we have a specific connection (with insurgents). They thought we were involved in the negotiation, that’s not the case.
“We do not support any fighting party at all; the misconception that we got is that people thought we were involved in the negotiation. That’s not our mandate, we only support civilians affected by the situation”.
Pouget disclosed that aside the North-East, ICRC was also involved in humanitarian situations caused by communal clashes in the North-Central, or South-South.
“In the North-East in particular, our aim is to provide succour for a civilian population that are being affected by the violence.