Kayode Idowu , Maiduguri
The International Committee of the Red Cross on Wednesday classified it’ s role in the release of abducted Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls , stating that at no time was it involved in the negotiation for their release from Boko Haram.
A statement by Aleksandra Mosimann , the Communication Coordinator of ICRC Nigeria , noted that “ recent media articles have suggested that the International Committee of the Red Cross helped negotiate the release of abducted persons , which is incorrect. ”
“ As a neutral humanitarian organisation , the ICRC cannot play such a role , which would be contrary to our principle of neutrality and is outside our mandate , ” Mosimann added .


She explained that , “In Nigeria , the ICRC has acted as neutral intermediary on three different occasions : after the release of Chibok girls on 13 , October 2016 ( 21 Chibok girls and a baby ); after the release of Chibok girls on 07 , May 2017 (82 Chibok girls ); and after the release on 10 , February 2018 (10 women – relatives of the police officers — and three university professors from the University of Maiduguri ) . ”
Mosimann however said that , “The ICRC was not involved in negotiations leading to the release of any of these persons . We did not visit them prior to their release either . We transported them, upon the request of the parties involved .

She further explained that : “ In practice , it worked like this : representatives of the government and armed opposition contacted the ICRC and asked the organisation to receive the released persons in the location indicated to us and hand them over to the Nigerian military .
“ This ensured that the two parties did not meet face to face . It also shows trust that both place in the ICRC . ”

Mosimann said that the ICRC has received a mandate from the international community – Nigerian government included – to provide protection and assistance to people affected by armed conflict , noting that , “acting as neutral intermediary falls under this mandate . ”
She said that apart from Nigeria, “The ICRC has also acted as neutral intermediary in cases of released persons in Sudan and Colombia and for the return of dead bodies in Sri Lanka.
“ The ICRC ’ s role of a neutral intermediary is widely recognised world - wide , and an indication of trust that parties to the conflict place in the ICRC , ” Mosimann said

http://punchng.com/we-werent-involved-in-negotiating-release-of-abducted-schoolgirls-says-red-cross/

Matters arising....

God bless Red Cross.

Seriously this is big,we need to start asking obvious questions? how,who,when, which people were involved?

Can of worms is about to open

Someone has made cool cash

Somalia on my mind





If you know you know