Dialogue of Civilizations developments: imagining possible futures". A large part of the Forum’s programme was given over to the development of the African continent. Attending and speaking at the Forum were the President of Mali (2012 - 2013) Dioncounda Traoré and the President of Nigeria (2010 - 2015) Goodluck Jonathan. Taking the stage, the Nigerian President remarked that the United Nations needed to change. "“For the world to experience sustainable peace, effective leadership must come from the UN, the flagship of global organisations. The UN that would inspire this kind of leadership should ensure equity, with leading nations and power centres representing different
Goodluck Jonathan administration was heavily criticized for its failure to bring back the over 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. Many demonstrations called for the government to be more responsive; Jonathan asked that demonstrators focus on blaming Boko Haram itself for the abductions. Jonathan initially denied that there had been any abduction at all, but then later signaled his government would do a prisoner release in exchange for the kidnapped girls. Discussions then took place in Paris with foreign ministers from France, Britain, the United States and Israel, where he agreed no deals should be struck with terrorists. He then called off