U.S. Sen Amy Klobuchar is applauding the United Nations Security Council's decision to declare Boko Haram a terrorist group and impose sanctions agains the al Qaeda-linked organization that abducted more than 250 Nigerian schoolgirls in April.
Boko Haramis now on the list of al-Qaeda-linked organizations subject to an arms embargo and asset freeze.
"While this designation alone won't bring back these Nigerian schoolgirls, it will help signify the determination of the United States, Nigeria, and our allies and partners to bring these terrorists to justice," Klobuchar said.
Klobuchar was among the 20 female U.S. senators who signed a letter to President Obama, urging him to advocate for tougher international sanctions against the terrorist group, which has also taken credit for a deadly wave of attacks on Nigerian citizens.
Obama notified Congress this week that 80 military personnel are joining the international hunt for the missing girls.
Samantha Power, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, welcomed the council's action, calling it "an important step in support of the government of Nigeria's efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities."
