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World / Americas

Kerry tells Nigeria fight against Islamists is not just a military one

Published: 23 Aug 2016 - 01:28 pm | Last Updated: 15 Nov 2021 - 01:01 am
Peninsula

United States Secretary of State John Kerry and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya Amina Mohamed (not seen) hold a press conference after their meeting in Nairobi, Kenya on August 22, 2016. Magdalene Mukami - AA

SOKOTO, Nigeria: Nigeria's battle against Boko Haram will only succeed if it tackles the reasons why people join Islamist militant groups and if the government and its military gain people's trust, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday.

"We also know that beating Boko Haram on the battlefield is only the beginning of what we must do," Kerry said in a speech in the northern Nigerian city of Sokoto at the start of a visit to the West African nation.

"Building public trust in government also requires cooperation from the military and law enforcement. Extremism can't be defeated through repression or fear." 

Reuters