UN Security Council approves sanctions against Boko Haram, US says

Published May 22, 2014

Associated Press

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UNITED NATIONS –  The United States says the U.N. Security Council has approved sanctions against the Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Boko Haram which has carried out a wave of deadly attacks and the recent abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Nigeria.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power welcomed the council's action on Thursday, calling it "an important step in support of the government of Nigeria's efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities."
Nigeria asked the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against Al Qaeda to add Boko Haram to the list of Al Qaeda-linked organizations subject to an arms embargo and asset freeze.
The 14 other council member had until 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) on Thursday to object and none did, so the committee will now add Boko Haram to the Al Qaeda sanctions list.