Nigeria: government in talks with Boko Haram

(Vatican Radio) The Nigerian government says it has started informal talks with the Islamic Boko Haram group, which has claimed responsibility for the killing of hundreds of people in attacks against Christian churches and other targets – all as a part of its campaign to establish Islamic rule in the country. A presidential spokesman confirmed the dialogue is being conducted through "backroom channels", after the main Boko Haram faction earlier ruled out peace talks. The Archbishop of the central Nigerian city of Jos, Paul Kaigama recently told Vatican Radio that Christians throughout Africa have always faced great difficulty. “Certainly, there is a struggle for Christians to survive,” he said. “Remember North Africa, which was once very Christian: now we wake up and Christians are in the minority.” Archbishop Kaigama went on to say, “If we do not take time, this is going to happen [here] – the Islamic community is very, very feverish about their religion, and they are willing to do everything possible to promote and protect their religion.” “Christians,” he said on the other hand, “both in Africa and in the West, seem to have [a] lackadaisical attitude, and sometimes we even end up being the harshest critics of Christianity.” Listen: