Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yaounde (Agenzia Fides) – The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius confirmed, during a visit 21 and 22 February to Chad, Cameroon and Niger, that France is ready to support African countries threatened by the Islamist sect Boko Haram.
However some Cameroonian media insinuate that French policy regarding Boko Haram is ambiguous. In particular they say Paris intends to take advantage of the emergency caused by Boko Haram to reinforce ties with former colonies in the area especially with Cameroon, where recently, it is said, new important resources of uranium and oil have been discovered.
According to unconfirmed reports, moreover, in January the Cameroonian army captured 8 French citizens among the ranks of Boko Haram, perhaps mercenaries. Paris is reportedly exercising pressure on the Cameroonian authorities to obtain the repatriation of the 8 Frenchmen.
In the meantime the Islamist sect has committed another atrocious market attack in the Nigerian town of Potiskum, in the north-east of the country, where a little girl aged only 7 years, activated the bomb she was wearing killing five people and injuring another nineteen. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2015)
