Addis Ababa - The African Union on Monday called for stronger action against Boko Haram, saying Africa should lead the global fight against the Nigerian Islamist group, which represents "a threat to the whole continent."
"I am deeply horrified by the tragedy Boko Haram continue to inflict on our people, kidnapping young girls from school, torching villages, terrorizing whole communities and the senseless killing," AU chair Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said ahead of an AU summit in Addis Ababa later this week.
"What started off as a localised criminal gang is now spreading into West and Central Africa," the AU chief told African foreign ministers.
"We must act now, and act collectively against this progressing threat," Dlamini Zuma added.
The AU chief praised Chad for sending troops to help Cameroon fight Boko Haram, which keeps crossing the border from Nigeria to stage attacks.
More than 15 000 people have been killed since 2009 by Boko Haram, which wants to establish an Islamist state.