On July 13, Boko Haram released a video “mocking the social media campaign that highlighted the plight of the 223 girls” abducted in Nigeria in April.
The video “[marked] the girls third month in captivity… [serves] as a direct snub” to those voicing support “for the #bringbackourgirls campaign.”
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau used the video to say the girls would not be released until Nigeria agreed to release Boko Haram fighters from jail. Shekau also voiced support for the Islamic State, formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
An unnamed diplomat weighed in on the situation:
It is hard to see this being resolved either by a rescue or a prisoner swap deal, although that is also true for a lot of other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in recent months and years, who are now bush wives. What may happen is that from time to time, some may seize a chance to escape, or a deal may be done with one particular local faction that is holding some of the hostages. Over the course of a few months or years they may begin to reappear.
Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.