Shekau Speaks on Cease-Fire and the Chibok Girls

(1 NOVEMBER 2014) [Trans.: Abdulbasit Kassim] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Xh-rf2FoU On 17 October 2014, the former Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, announced a ceasefire agreement between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram. Badeh’s announcement followed a similar announcement on Voice of America Hausa by Danladi Ahmadu, who claimed to be “the general secretary of Boko Haram.” Hassan Tukur, private secretary of President Jonathan, represented the Nigerian government in the ceasefire negotiations, said to have been mediated by Chadian President Idriss Déby. Part of the agreement included the release of the Chibok schoolgirls. Although Déby claimed to have verified Danladi as Boko Haram’s representative, the ceasefire agreement fell apart upon this video’s release. In it, Shekau denied any ceasefire agreement, labeling Danladi an unbeliever who has no relationship with the group. Shekau also said more than 200 out of the 219 remaining Chibok girls have converted to Islam and been married off. He also gave information about the abduction of a German national by the group, and ruled out future talks with the government, considered “illegitimate.”...