The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hollande

  • Hollande replies Trump over Paris comment

    Hollande replies Trump over Paris comment

    French President Francois Hollande fired back at President Donald Trump of the United States of America yesterday after Trump remarked in a speech that a friend thought “Paris is no longer Paris” after attacks by Islamist militants.

    Hollande said Trump should show support for U.S. allies.

    “There is terrorism and we must fight it together. I think that it is never good to show the smallest defiance toward an allied country. I wouldn’t do it with the United States and I’m urging the U.S. president not to do it with France,” Hollande said.

    “I won’t make comparisons but here, people don’t have access to guns. Here, you don’t have people with guns opening fire on the crowd simply for the satisfaction of causing drama and tragedy,” Hollande said, responding to questions during a visit at the Paris Agric fair.

    During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, Trump repeated his criticism of Europe’s handling of attacks by Islamist militants saying a friend “Jim” no longer wanted to take his family to Paris.

     

  • Hollande warns unions against disrupting Euro 2016

    French President Francois Hollande has warned against attempts to disrupt Euro 2016 with strike action, as the continent’s biggest soccer tournament gets under way on Friday.

    France has been in the grip of industrial action, mainly over reforms to labour law, the BBC reports.

    Train drivers are threatening to strike on a line serving the Stade de France in St Denis just outside Paris, where France plays Romania in the first match.

    Meanwhile, a brawl in Marseille led to two England fans being arrested.

    Tear gas was fired and police officers in riot gear were on the streets after the incident outside a pub shortly before midnight on Thursday.

    England plays Russia in the city on Saturday.

     

  • Buhari, Hollande, Biya for security summit in Abuja

    Buhari, Hollande, Biya for security summit in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari will host the second Regional Security Summit in Abuja on Saturday. It is to enhance security of lives, properties and investments in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said participants would include President Francois Hollande of France, who hosted the first Regional Security Summit in Paris on May 17, 2014.

    Buhari and the French president, who arrives Abuja on Friday on a visit to Nigeria, will be joined at the summit by presidents of Cameroon, Niger Republic, Chad  and Benin Republic.

    The United States, Britain, Equatorial Guinea, European Union, ECOWAS, Economic Community of Central African States and  Gulf of Guinea Commission will be represented at the summit, which will, among others, discuss the conclusion of military operations against Boko Haram.

    The speedy resolution of the humanitarian crises, the statement said, would also feature on the summit’s agenda.

    Before proceeding to the summit, President Buhari will receive President Hollande  and the French delegation at the Presidential Villa on Saturday morning.

    “It is expected that new agreements on further defence and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and France will be concluded and signed after talks between the two presidents and their officials.”

     

  • Paris attacks, act of war – Hollande

    Paris attacks, act of war – Hollande

    … Islamic State claims attacks

    The near-simultaneous attacks in Paris that killed nearly 130 people were an “act of war” organised by the Islamic State (IS) militant group, French President, Francois Hollande, has said.

    He said the attacks, carried out by eight gunmen and suicide bombers were “organised and planned from outside.”

    The targets included bars, restaurants, a concert and a high-profile football match.

    IS claimed the attacks.

    Mr. Hollande has declared three days of national mourning.

    He has raised the security threat level to its highest point and imposed a nationwide state of emergency.

    This is the deadliest peacetime attack in France and the worst in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings. At least 180 people were wounded, 80 of whom are in a critical condition.

    The night of violence unfolded soon after 21:00 (20:00 GMT) as people were enjoying a Friday night out in the French capital.

    A gunman opened fire on Le Carillon bar in the rue Alibert, not far from the Place de la Republique, before heading across the road to Le Petit Cambodge (Little Cambodia), killing at least 12 people.

    “We heard the sound of guns, 30-second bursts. It was endless. We thought it was fireworks,” Pierre Montfort, a resident living close to Le Petit Cambodge, said.

    A few streets away, diners sitting on the terrace of La Casa Nostra pizzeria in rue de la Fontaine au Roi, were also fired on, with the loss of at least five lives.

    At around the same time, on the northern outskirts of Paris, 80,000 people who had gathered to watch France play Germany at the Stade de France heard three explosions outside the stadium about half an hour after kick-off.

    President Hollande was among the spectators and was whisked to safety after the first explosion. It later emerged three suicide bombers blew themselves up at fast food outlets and a brasserie near the stadium.

  • Hollande ready to hold new summit on Boko Haram

    Hollande ready to hold new summit on Boko Haram

    French President Francois Hollande said on Friday he is ready to organise a new summit of nations fighting Boko Haram, a militant group that has suffered defeats in recent months in its campaign to forge an Islamist state in northeastern Nigeria.

    Hollande spoke after talks in the capital of Cameroon with President Paul Biya.

    Cameroon is part of a regional group of nations including Nigeria, Niger and Chad that began a campaign against Boko Haram this year, Reuters says.

    “Nigeria and Cameroon need to have the best relations, to work together. This corresponds well with the spirit we had at our last summit in Paris to take important decisions about Boko Haram, whose threat is getting stronger,” Reuters quoted Hollande as saying on the matter.

    “I am ready to gather anew, as soon as the presidents give me a date, this conference so that we can better act together.” The Paris summit took place in May 2014.

    Earlier this year, Boko Haram occupied large parts of northeastern Nigeria and was increasingly mounting attacks on neighbouring states, prompting the regional leaders into action to reverse gains made by the six-year insurgency.

    Operations carried out by regional forces have pushed the militants from most of their positions and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to crush what remains of the group.

  • Buhari vows to end insurgency in short time

    Buhari vows to end insurgency in short time

    … Receives pledges from France, Canada, Germany

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s total commitment to ending Boko Haram’s insurgency in the shortest possible time.

    He spoke at a meeting with President Francois Hollande of France after his participation in Monday’s G-7 Outreach Programme in Germany.

    Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mal. Garba Shehu, said Nigeria will welcome greater support and cooperation from France and other friendly nations for its ongoing efforts to overcome Boko Haram and restore full security and normalcy to areas affected by the group’s atrocities.

    He said his administration was already taking concrete action to build a more efficient and effective coalition of Nigeria and neighbouring countries against Boko Haram.

    Nigeria, the President said, would appreciate more intelligence on the terrorist group’s links with Islamic State, movements, training and sources of its arms and ammunition to facilitate the perfection of fresh tactics and strategies being evolved to overcome terrorism and insurgency within the country and the sub-region.

    President Buhari reiterated at the talks with his French counterpart that there was absolutely no link between religion and the atrocities of Boko Haram.

    He said: “There is clearly no religious basis for the actions of the group. Their atrocities show that members of the group either do not know God at all or they don’t believe in Him.”

    In his remarks at the meeting, President Hollande commended President Buhari’s concerted efforts to galvanize Nigeria’s armed forces, security agencies and neighouring countries for more decisive action to eradicate Boko Haram.

    The French leader assured Buhari that France will  give Nigeria and its coalition partners greater support against terrorism and insecurity, including military and intelligence cooperation, to help them overcome the security challenge posed by Boko Haram and its global terrorist allies  as quickly as possible.

    He also called for greater bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and France in other areas including trade, economic and cultural relations.

    President Buhari also received similar pledges of enhanced support from Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and Chancellor Angela Merkel who he also conferred with before departing from the venue of the G-7 2015 Summit.

    Buhari is due back in Abuja early Tuesday.

  • Obama, Ban-Ki Moon, Carrington, Hollande, others greet president-elect

    Obama, Ban-Ki Moon, Carrington, Hollande, others greet president-elect

    The World rose in unison yesterday to endorse Saturday’s election won by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    The United Nations, the United States, France and the European Union observer team in separate statements commended the polls’ outcome and hailed outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan for being magnanimous in victory.

    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other world leaders congratulated President-elect Buhari on his hard worn victory.

    In a statement from in New York, Ban said he had spoken to Jonathan and Buhari on the outcome of the polls as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He commended Jonathan for his leadership qualities throughout the electoral process and his statesmanship in upholding the democratic process.  He also applauded the INEC for organising the elections in a professional and credible “manner under challenging circumstances”.  The UN Chief called on all Nigerians to accept the outcome of the elections

    Ban also appealed to them to address any complaints they may have through existing legal and constitutional channels.  The Secretary-General said the successful conduct of the polls was a testimony to the maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.  He expressed hope that the same democratic spirit would prevail in the conduct of the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections on April 11.

    United States President Barack Obama also congratulated President-elect Buhari.

    In a statement, Obama said: “The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles.  By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully.

    “I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign.  President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory.  I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term, and I thank him for his many years of service and his statesmanlike conduct at this critical juncture.  I urge President-Elect Buhari and President Jonathan to repeat their calls to their supporters to continue to respect the election outcomes, focus on unifying the country, and together lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition.

    “Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, deserve special recognition for what independent international observers have deemed a largely peaceful and orderly vote.  I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.  Looking ahead to the gubernatorial elections on April 11, it is imperative that national attention turn to ensuring isolated logistical challenges are overcome and peace is protected, even in the most hotly contested races.

    “On behalf of the American people, I extend congratulations to the people of Nigeria and to President-Elect Buhari and look forward to continuing to work with the newly-elected government on our many shared priorities.”

    The President of the Republic of France, Mr François Hollande congratulated Gen. Buhari in a statement issued in Abuja by France embassy in Nigeria. It stated that Hollande welcomed the commitment of the Nigerian people and the professionalism exhibited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the polls.

    According to the statement, the French President will speak with Buhari today as France intends to continue its cordial relationship with Nigeria.

    “France continues to stand with Nigeria to uphold democratic values, fight against terrorism and promote economic partnership between the two countries,’’ it said.

    It added: “This is a victory for the president, but it’s also a victory for the people of Nigeria who affirmed their attachment to democracy and their confidence in the future, by refusing to allow themselves to be intimidated by terrorists.

    “Today, Nigeria can show the world that it is a major democracy. It is a source of pride for the population and a source of satisfaction to Nigeria’s partners.

    “We welcome the spirit of responsibility demonstrated by the political leaders and pay tribute to the action of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “I hope that President Buhari’s term of office will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries and to put an end to Boko Haram’s terrorist activities. We also hope that Nigeria will be able to continue its remarkable economic growth, in the interest of the continent’s prosperity.”

    President-elect Buhari has been receiving congratulatory messages from other world a and Nigerians leaders. He received former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his wife Hajiya Titi and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria James Entwistle, among others.

    They all pledged their support and commitment to ensuring the success of the Buhari administration and for better relations between their countries and Nigeria.

    In his response to the various leaders, General Buhari thanked the international community for working with Nigerians in providing the atmosphere that helped to bring about change through elections in the country.

    He promised to work with the international community to restore Nigeria’s full commitment and obligations to the international system.

    Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington in a statement said: “Nigeria has passed the most important milestone on the road to an enduring democracy – the peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box from one party to another.  President-Elect Buhari has achieved a decisive victory.  In spite of serious security threats the people of Nigeria turned out in impressive numbers to declare by whom they wish to be governed for the next four years.  President Jonathan has set the stage for a peaceful transfer of power through his gracious congratulatory call to his successor.

    ”I feel great optimism for the future of my wife’s homeland.  A united Nigeria under the leadership of a man so dedicated and capable of curbing corruption and restoring peace and security can reclaim its moral authority as the leader of the continent from which my ancestors came.

    ”Arese and I pray for the success of the Buhari administration and will do all we can to work for the strengthening of relations between the United States and Nigeria.”

    The European Union (EU) Observer Mission for the elections yesterday described President Jonathan as a good example to the world following the way he conducted the polls and conceded victory to his opponent without rancour.

    Head of the EU Observer Mission, Santiago Fisas said: “I congratulate him (Jonathan) for that and I seized the opportunity to give to him our preliminary report about the election.

    “He was very happy and of course, I will come back in July with the final statement at a press conference and to give it to the new President and our recommendations would be contained in the final report.

    “The elections are so important for the people of Nigeria, but it is an African example for all Africa and countries in the world.

    “You know many people didn’t expect that the elections will be peaceful, they expected a lot of violence after the elections but it turned out not to be true.

    “Also, I congratulate President Jonathan but I would like to congratulate Nigerian people because they showed a lot of commitment to that election.

    “Not in all circumstances would you see such that, people stood in the sun for a very long and hot day, despite some of these problems. It shows that you Nigerians are truly democratic.” he said

    According to him, it would remain the discretion of the Nigerian government to decide what recommendations to adopt or reject from the Mission’s findings about this year’s elections.

    He said: “It is up to Nigerian government to accept or not to accept the recommendations. We are observers and we have made our recommendations and I don’t want to advance the final report that will be finished after the gubernatorial elections.

    “When we can embark on a new ideas with a new President, probably that will be in July, then we will make recommendations public”, he said.

     

  • France urges reform of ‘remote’ EU

    French President Francois Hollande has said the European Union must reform and scale back its power, amid a surge in support for Eurosceptic and far-right parties.

    Mr. Hollande, whose party was beaten by the far right in last week’s European Parliament election, said the EU had become too complex and remote.

    In response, he will tell EU leaders at a meeting in Brussels later that they must focus on boosting the economy.

    The BBC reports that three big pro-EU centrist blocs are still on course for a majority.

    But they have lost seats in the European Parliament to parties seeking to curb EU powers or abolish the union, among them the United Kingdom Independence Party which came first in the domestic vote with 27 per cent, according to provisional results.

    In France, the far-right National Front stormed to victory with a preliminary 25 per cent of the vote, pushing Mr. Hollande’s Socialists into third place.

     

  • Summit on Boko Haram opens in Paris

    Summit on Boko Haram opens in Paris

    A security summit to discuss strategies to tackle the threat from Boko Haram has opened in Paris, France.

    The meeting was called by French President, Francois Hollande, after the sect abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, last month.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who is attending the talks, had to call off a visit to the town where the girls were seized for security reasons.

    As West African leaders arrived, reports emerged of suspected Boko Haram attack in Cameroon.

    Ten people are reported missing.

    One person was hurt when militants attacked a Chinese camp near Cameroon’s porous border with north-eastern Nigeria.

    Those missing had been working for Chinese company Sinohydro, China’s state news agency Xinhua said.

    The BBC reports that militants have staged several attacks in Cameroon; last year they kidnapped several members of a French family, who were later released.

    Boko Haram released a video earlier this week showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners. Their relatives have called for their unconditional release.

    The girls, a mixture of Christians and Muslims, were seized on April 14 from their hostels at the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibook.

    President Jonathan has ruled out negotiations over their possible release, government officials say.

    President  Hollande will open the Saturday’s summit, and the leaders of Nigeria’s neighbours – Benin, Cameroon, Niger and Chad – were scheduled to attend the talks. Representatives from the United Kingdom, United States and European Union were also taking part.

    A statement before the summit said delegates at the meeting will “discuss fresh strategies for dealing with the security threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in West and Central Africa.”

    UK Foreign Secretary William Hague told the BBC from Paris that Cameroon and Nigeria in particular had an important role to play in pooling their intelligence.

    “There are many borders here and they are porous. The first focus of everything we’re doing is about the girls now, but that requires these countries to work together. Cameroon and Nigeria… have not enjoyed strong positive relations in recent years.”

    Mr. Hollande discussed the issue on Friday in a phone call with US President Barack Obama.

    The safe return of the 223 girls was now one of America’s main priorities, with US specialist teams and drones being involved in the rescue operation, the White House said.

     

     

  • France to host African summit on Boko Haram

    France to host African summit on Boko Haram

    France has offered to host a summit on the Boko Haram sect with Nigeria and its neighbours, President Francois Hollande has said.

    Global outrage over the Boko Haram’s abduction of 200 schoolgirls last month has focused attention on the group, which has destabilized large swathes of northeast Nigeria and its neighbours.

    “With Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, I have proposed to hold a meeting with the countries bordering Nigeria,” Hollande said during a visit to the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.

    “If the countries agree, it should take place next Saturday” in Paris, Hollande added.

    His aides said the leaders of Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger might attend. Britain, the European Union and the United States would likely be represented as well.

    Reuters reports that France, Britain, the U.S and other countries have said they were sending experts to help Nigeria track down and free the schoolgirls.