Lake Chad Basin region’s true enemy is not just violent groups, it is the absence of cooperation, sincerity and fidelity to our shared pact, Nigerian president tells delegates.
As violent attacks make an alarming resurgence in the Lake Chad Basin region, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for renewed commitment to regional cooperation.
He urged leaders to work together to tackle the threats posed by the 15-year insurgency and growing instability.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, representing Tinubu, was in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Wednesday, January 29, to officially open the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.
Under the theme, “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community”, forum delegates have begun discussions on regional collaborations, security dynamics, environmental challenges and community resilience.
The forum closes on Friday, January 31.
Organised by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the forum brings together humanitarian organisations, local and international communities and eight governors from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
The focus is on sustainable solutions to promote security, peace and development.
The governors are Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State (the host), Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Lidjima Abdraman of Hadjer-Lamis in Chad, Brigadier-General Mohamadou Ibrahim of Diffa in Niger, Midjiyawa Bakari of the Far North region of Cameroon, Abate Edi’i Jean of the North region of Cameroon, and General Saleh Haggar Tidjani of the Province of Lac in Chad.
Although the forum is being hosted in Maiduguri, the Yobe State government officially organised the event.
While paying tribute to the sacrifices of the personnel of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF), Tinubu said the region’s true enemy was not just violent groups – such as the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS), more commonly referred to a Boko Haram, and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) – but also “the absence of cooperation, sincerity and fidelity to our shared pact”.
“The salvation of this region is neither in Europe nor the Americas. It lies in the hands of those gathered here today,” he said, emphasising that sustainable peace required addressing the root causes, such as poverty, inequality and youth unemployment.
Radio Ndarason Internationale (RNI) is a proud partner of the event.
As a leading regional network in the Lake Chad Basin region, RNI has been working closely with the commission and other development partners, playing a crucial role in supporting stabilisation and development efforts.
RNI, with the approval of the commission, organised two pre-forum events covering: Flooding in the Lake Chad Basin: Climate Change or Poor Management? and the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Deradicalisation and Reintegration (DDDR) of former combatants, including examining the programme’s practice, problems and prospects.
RNI has set up a mobile studio at the Indimi International Conference Centre hall to support and facilitate smooth coverage.
The overall objective of the forum is to expedite dialogue, coordination and cross-border cooperation between the eight territories and offer opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement to consolidate gains and advance regional cooperation on key priority areas of the RS SRR.
The forum aims to:
– Enhance understanding of the security and humanitarian trends in the region and the implications of ongoing efforts for restoration of state authority;
– Discuss approaches to handling exits from Boko Haram as well as opportunities involved in the demobilisation of government-affiliated armed groups (Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes), including their contribution to social cohesion and transitional justice;
– Discuss the opportunities and challenges for accelerating implementation of territorial action plans;
– Examine the role of cross-border trade in facilitating socioeconomic recovery and promoting regional cooperation;
– Examine key strategies for strengthening the role of the civil society organisations, including those led by youth and women;
– Discuss the impacts of illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse on violent extremism and explore prevention options, with a focus on the role of youths and women;
– Discuss strategies to combat food insecurity through building resilience of food systems to climate change; and
– Discuss the challenges and opportunities for adopting durable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees in the Lake Chad region.
MAMMAN MAHMOOD
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