The United Nations Security Council has approved sanctions against Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram on Friday, adding it to a list of al-Qaeda-linked organisations.
Under the UN's 1267 sanctions list, Boko Haram will be subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
Samantha Power, the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, hailed the move in a statement, noting,
“Today, the Security Council took an important step in support of the government of Nigeria’s efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities. By adding Boko Haram to the UN’s 1267 sanctions list, the Security Council has helped to close off important avenues of funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram, and shown global unity against their savage actions.”
See the full statement here.
The move by the Security Council comes as Reuters reported that 29 villagers were killed in a fresh attack by Boko Haram in the North-East of the country.