ACF to Boko Haram: reopen talks

By Tony Akowe, Kaduna 

THE Northern socio-political organisation – the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) – yesterday appealed to all parties involved in the botched negotiation between the Federal Government and the fundamentalist Boko Haram group to return to the dialogue table.

In a communiqué at the end of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at its secretariat in Kaduna, the ACF said the difficulties being experienced in the search for an enduring solution was not unexpected.

The communiqué, which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, praised those who paved the way for the talk between the government and the dreaded sect.

The communiqué reads: “The General Assembly reviewed the efforts of the Arewa conference on peace and unity of last December on the peace and unity of the North and concluded that there is a lot to be done by stakeholders.

“Consequently, the meeting directed its agenda setting committee to make haste and turn in its reports and recommendations, which will enable ACF come up with mechanism for implementation of the resolutions by those with executive authority to do so.

“The meeting considered the current efforts at constructive engagement between the Federal Government and Boko Haram aimed at bringing lasting solution to the menace caused by activities of the sect.

“The Forum also recognised the patriotic courage of those who made the assignment between the parties possible and the ensuring altercations leading to the unsavory withdrawals from the talks.

“Consequently, the meeting called on all the parties involved in the dialogue to note that difficult tasks like the current one are not unexpected and that great men are defined by great challenges because they often pursue causes higher than themselves as worthy impulse.

“Against the foregoing, and in view of the overriding need across the nation for peace and security, which are essential for any meaningful socio-economic and political development, the general assembly appealed to all the parties concerned to please reconsider their withdrawal from the talks and resume the dialogues with all sense of seriousness and honour needed to make the desired results come to pass.

“This is because no sacrifice can be too much for peace and national interest. And in the course of the discourse towards attaining sustainable peace and national security, the parties must not lose sight of the truism that the history of nations and long lives of individuals, there is time to stay the course, time for compromises and there is time to let go for larger interest and collective good.”

SOURCE: The Nation, 23 March 2012. http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/