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World

African Union agrees to send multinational force of 7,500 to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    United Nations Secretary General Ban- Ki- Moon speaks during a news conference during the heads of state meeting of the annual African Union (AU) summit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Elias Asmara) (The Associated Press)

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    United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon speaks during a news conference at the heads of state meeting of the annual African Union (AU) summit, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Elias Asmara) (The Associated Press)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – An African Union official says African leaders have agreed to send 7,500 troops to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria.

The head of the African Union's Peace and Security Council, Samil Chergui, said Saturday the move came after the council urged heads of state to endorse the deployment of troops from five West African countries to fight the terror group.

African leaders who are members of the 54-nation African Union are meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa for a two-day summit that ends Saturday.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon earlier said he support the AU's move to send a force to fight Boko Haram. Boko Haram is increasing its attacks as Nigeria prepares for Feb. 14 elections. Thousands have been killed in the 5-year insurgency.