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'Send Zimbabwe army to deal with Boko Haram,' says Chinotimba
14 May 2014 at 12:18hrs | Views
A Zanu-PF MP Tuesday pleaded with government to dispatch soldiers to Nigeria and help the beleaguered nation fight the Muslim Boko Haram group and rescue the over 200 girls abducted by the fundamentalists.
Joseph Chinotimba, the Buhera West legislator, made the passionate plea to government while debating on a motion on violence against women and girls tabled by Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa. Several MPs across the divide joined Chinotimba in condemning the abductions.
"Honourable Speaker Sir, the issue of Boko Haram should be taken seriously. It pains me a lot that girls could be abducted in their numbers," Chinotimba said.
"This should be something that as Parliament we must condemn, and I kindly appeal to government, together with other nations, to sent soldiers to Nigeria and deal with this Boko Haram."
The lawmaker said sending troops to the troubled west African nation to rescue the girls would send a message to the rebels that the African continent "does not entertain terrorism".
"We don't know what these Boko Haram is doing with those innocent girls, it is really sad that someone can take girls and hide them in the bush. This is serious violence that we need to stop," he said this to the applause of fellow MPs.
"We must assist because you might not know what will happen to us. The number of those girls abducted by the rebels is very threatening and alarming. I am touched by what is happening to the girls."
Over 200 Nigerian girls were kidnapped from school with one of the leaders of Boko Haram threatening to sell them.
Boko Haram is a terrorist group allegedly receiving training from al Qaeda affiliates, according to the United States. Its name means "Western education is sin".
Yesterday, the Nigerian government issued a statement saying it was ready to talk with the terrorist group for the release of the girls.
A video realised by Boko Haram on Monday showed about 130 of the girls reciting Koranic verses.
In recent years, Boko Haram has carried out dozens of attacks, killing thousands of people at schools, churches, police stations and at government buildings.
Debating on the issue, MDC-T legislator for Southerton Gift Chimanikire said the abduction of the girls should be condemned and the Africa Union, as a continental body, should do something to rescue the innocent girls.
Mpariwa presented a report from a parliamentary workshop held in South Africa where a call for stiffer penalties of women and girls abusers was made with more emphasis on rapist.
In her report, Mpariwa said abuse of women and girls came in form of early marriages and domestic violence, among other forms of abuse.
Chinotimba took a dig at some lawmakers who abuse girls, saying they were "dishonourable" people who should be handed stiff jail penalties.
Other MPs who debated on the motion and called the ministry of Justice to bring a law that imposes higher penalties on abusers of women include Solomon Madzore, Amos Chibaya, Anastasia Ndlovu and Peter Matarutse.
Joseph Chinotimba, the Buhera West legislator, made the passionate plea to government while debating on a motion on violence against women and girls tabled by Mufakose MP Paurina Mpariwa. Several MPs across the divide joined Chinotimba in condemning the abductions.
"Honourable Speaker Sir, the issue of Boko Haram should be taken seriously. It pains me a lot that girls could be abducted in their numbers," Chinotimba said.
"This should be something that as Parliament we must condemn, and I kindly appeal to government, together with other nations, to sent soldiers to Nigeria and deal with this Boko Haram."
The lawmaker said sending troops to the troubled west African nation to rescue the girls would send a message to the rebels that the African continent "does not entertain terrorism".
"We don't know what these Boko Haram is doing with those innocent girls, it is really sad that someone can take girls and hide them in the bush. This is serious violence that we need to stop," he said this to the applause of fellow MPs.
"We must assist because you might not know what will happen to us. The number of those girls abducted by the rebels is very threatening and alarming. I am touched by what is happening to the girls."
Over 200 Nigerian girls were kidnapped from school with one of the leaders of Boko Haram threatening to sell them.
Boko Haram is a terrorist group allegedly receiving training from al Qaeda affiliates, according to the United States. Its name means "Western education is sin".
Yesterday, the Nigerian government issued a statement saying it was ready to talk with the terrorist group for the release of the girls.
A video realised by Boko Haram on Monday showed about 130 of the girls reciting Koranic verses.
In recent years, Boko Haram has carried out dozens of attacks, killing thousands of people at schools, churches, police stations and at government buildings.
Debating on the issue, MDC-T legislator for Southerton Gift Chimanikire said the abduction of the girls should be condemned and the Africa Union, as a continental body, should do something to rescue the innocent girls.
Mpariwa presented a report from a parliamentary workshop held in South Africa where a call for stiffer penalties of women and girls abusers was made with more emphasis on rapist.
In her report, Mpariwa said abuse of women and girls came in form of early marriages and domestic violence, among other forms of abuse.
Chinotimba took a dig at some lawmakers who abuse girls, saying they were "dishonourable" people who should be handed stiff jail penalties.
Other MPs who debated on the motion and called the ministry of Justice to bring a law that imposes higher penalties on abusers of women include Solomon Madzore, Amos Chibaya, Anastasia Ndlovu and Peter Matarutse.
Source - Zim Mail
