The Islamist group Boko Haram has ended all negotiations with the authorities,
saying it could not trust a government of "unbelievers".
A spokesman for
the group on Tuesday said it had
"closed all possible doors of negotiation" with the government and
called on Muslims to join the fight against it.
The statement to
local journalists in Maiduguri came two days after a Muslim cleric brokering
initial peace talks pulled out, casting shadows over an already dimmed
situation.
"Almighty God
has told us repeatedly that the unbelievers will never respect the promises
they made. As such, henceforth, we will never respect any proposal for dialogue,"
Abu Qaqa, a Boko Haram spokesman, said by phone in the northern Hausa language.
The departure of
Datti Ahmed, a former ally of Boko Haram's founder, could be a major blow for
talks which were only in their early stages, although some security sources doubt
peace talks are possible with a sect so fragmented and radicalised.
'Restoring the
Caliphate'
The negotiations
were aimed at ending months of bomb and gun attacks by Boko Haram that killed
hundreds, mostly in the majority Muslim north, and have at times dominated
Goodluck Jonathan's presidency.
The group has said
it wants to impose Islamic sharia law across the oil-rich country split equally
between Christians and Muslims.
"We are
certain we will dismantle this government and establish Islamic government in
Nigeria," Abu Qaqa said.
"There is no
doubt in our minds we will emerge victorious.
"We are
calling on all Muslims in this part of the world to accept the clarion call and
fight for the restoration of the Caliphate."
However, recent
arrests and deaths of senior figures have weakened the group, analysts say.
It has not managed
to launch a widescale, co-ordinated attack since one in Kano that killed 186
people in January, reverting to crude bomb attacks and drive-by shootings.
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