By Harriet Tornguvan
Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Head of Mission for the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), He urged the European Union (EU), African Union (AU), and other key partners to sustain their support in the fight against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin region.
This appeal was issued in a press statement by Chief Military Information Officer Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba during the opening ceremony of the 14th Joint Steering Committee Meeting, which took place on August 6, 2024, at the Radisson Hotel in N'Djamena, Chad.
Ambassador Nuhu stressed the critical need for continued collaborative efforts to eliminate Boko Haram and lessen its impact on the region. He acknowledged the significant sacrifices of Troop-Contributing Countries (TCCs) and the unwavering support from strategic partners, which have been vital in creating a safer environment conducive to peace and development in the Lake Chad Basin.
Dr. Sarjoh Bah, AU Director of Conflict Management, expressed appreciation for the EU and other strategic partners' support in combating terrorism in the region. He noted that the successful completion of Operation LAKE SANITY II underscored the commitment and sacrifices of the MNJTF TCCs in defeating Boko Haram and restoring peace and stability.
Dr. Bah reaffirmed the AU's dedication to enhancing the MNJTF's capacity to conduct operations in line with the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, ensuring adherence to international humanitarian law, human rights law, and the highest standards of conduct and discipline.
Earlier, MNJTF Force Commander Major General Ibrahim Ali emphasized the importance of collective commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Lake Chad region. He highlighted that the meeting serves as a crucial platform for coordinating collective efforts and sharing insights in line with the Support Implementation Agreement between the AU, LCBC, and MNJTF TCCs. He affirmed that the support from the AU and its strategic partners has significantly contributed to fulfilling the MNJTF's mandate of restoring peace and development in the region.
The first day of the meeting included updates on the overall situation in the MNJTF area of operation, briefings on direct and additional support, an AU briefing on the status of additional support to the MNJTF, a review of the Joint Steering Committee's terms of reference, and a briefing on compliance and accountability for MNJTF operations.
