Egypt Enjoins Campaign Against Terrorism in Nigeria – Ambassador Salama

The Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ashraf Salama, has said that his country is always involved in the global collaboration against terrorism in Nigeria. He noted that this would mark the end of the Boko Haram sect and terrorism in the country.

Salama in an interview with selected journalists in Abuja stated that Egypt had always supported Nigeria right from the 1967 civil war, adding that the North African country is currently assisting the nation in coordinating efforts against the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The Ambassador described terrorism as a ‘tricky phenomenon,’ stressing that the Federal Government is on the right track to winning the war. All the necessary things that should be done to defeat Boko Haram, had been mobilized, he added.

He said that Boko Haram’s ideology has no place in Islam, pointing out that as a moderate Muslim, he could not fathom the evil and the bloodshed being perpetrated by the militant sect.

Salama said, “Terrorism is a tricky phenomenon but Nigeria is on the right track to uproot it through the ongoing international collaboration and coordination. We have offered to assist Nigeria to deal with this problem and we are involved in the coordination of efforts to defeat terrorism.”

“The Army is fully mobilized, aids and resources are in place, so everything necessary is being done and it is a matter of time before the war is won. I have always been a moderate Muslim and I pray like a Christian, like a Jew but Boko Haram ideology has no place in Islam.”

The Ambassador said that Egyptians were happy over the election of a new president in their country, noting that this was the first time a candidate would enjoy such a high level of support from the electorates.

Salama added that the Egyptian election showed the true position of things in the country, noting that the various pictures painted by foreign media misrepresented the situation in the country until the presidential election cleared the air.

According to the Ambassador, there are lots of dramatic changes in Egypt, which the new government would sustain to ensure progress.

Asked whether the Egyptian Government has evidence against the Aljazeera television staff that are being tried for terrorism, Salama, stated that the state has “strong evidence” that the men were members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

The diplomat described Nigeria and Egypt as good models of democracy in Africa, adding that one of his interests was to encourage tourists to visit Nigeria and explore the variety of natural endowments in the country.