ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Two U.S. congresswomen say Nigeria’s #BringBackOurGirls campaign must hold every single newly elected official responsible for the freedom of scores of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists.
They say the movement built up around “the Chibok girls” can become a pillar of accountability in the country’s budding democracy.
The campaign attracted millions around the world, including first lady Michelle Obama. Then-President Goodluck Jonathan reviled it. His administration initially denied there had been a mass kidnapping in the northeast town of Chibok on April 15, 2014, and even detained two campaign leaders.
In Abuja, the capital, visiting Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Frederica Wilson on Tuesday told campaigners to keep up the pressure with new President Muhammadu Buhari.
“You don’t give them a pass, from the president all the way down. Pressure! Pressure! Pressure!” urged Wilson, a Democrat from Florida.