African leaders declare \\\'war\\\' on Boko Haram
Saturday, 17 May 2014
African leaders meeting in Paris have agreed to wage "war" on Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamic militants.
President Hollande of France, who hosted the summit, said regional powers had pledged to share intelligence and co-ordinate action against the group.
Last month it abducted 223 schoolgirls in north-eastern Nigeria, where it is based. Fresh attacks were reported in Nigeria and Cameroon overnight, according to a news agency.
Thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram in recent years.
The Paris summit brought together President Francois Hollande, Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan, and their counterparts from Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.
Afterwards, Mr Hollande said participants had agreed on a "global and regional action plan".
He said this involved co-ordinating intelligence and border surveillance, sharing information, as well as a capacity for joint action in case of danger.