Participants of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum pledge to fight illegal gun and drug trafficking, strengthen community resilience and work together to reshape the future for battle-weary citizens.

Leaders of the Lake Chad Basin region have pledged to fight illegal gun and drug trafficking in the conflict-ridden area; strengthen the resilience of communities grappling with insecurity and economic hardship; and work together to reshape the future for battle-weary citizens.

As the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum came to an end on Friday, January 31, participants renewed their commitment to advance stabilisation, recovery and resilience in the region.

The three-day meeting was held in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, in Nigeria’s northeast from Wednesday to Friday last week.

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 brought together humanitarian organisations, local and international communities and eight governors from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Although the forum was held in Maiduguri, the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, was the host. The other governors were 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.

Themed “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community”, the forum addressed regional challenges to forge partnerships, align strategies and mobilise resources needed to transform the conflict-ridden area into a region of peace, stability and opportunity.

KEY RESOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIC COMMITMENTS

The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum adopted a declaration recognising and commending the substantial achievements made under the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience of the Areas-affected by Boko Haram [the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād (JAS)] in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS SRR).

The forum commended the governments of the Lake Chad Basin countries, regional institutions and international partners for their unwavering commitment to stabilisation, peacebuilding and sustainable development.

It welcomed the efforts of the LCBC and its partners in facilitating the technical validation of the adjusted RS SRR in 2024 and encouraged the LCBC Council of Ministers and the African Union Peace and Security Council to endorse the revised strategy.

STRENGTHENING SECURITY

The forum committed to ensuring that member states strengthen strategic support and operational capacity to the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) and/or invest in transborder security.

It committed to ensuring that member states effectively occupy islands in the Lake Chad region as a means of strengthening transboundary security, with a focus on securing and controlling the waterways.

It committed to intensifying efforts to combat illicit trade of arms and drug trafficking, as well as crack down on drug abuse, particularly among youth.

PROMOTING PARTNERSHIP

To safeguard the achievements of stability, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, international financial institutions and regional development banks to mobilise financing for the RS SRR.

The forum emphasised the need for collaboration with traditional rulers, particularly in facilitating reconciliation and reintegration processes.

Participants highlighted the importance of engaging women and youth in stabilisation, recovery and resilience initiatives.

“The needs and priorities of women and youth must be effectively addressed,” panellists said.

The forum highlighted the role of civil society in designing, implementing and monitoring regional stabilisation, recovery and resilience efforts.

PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT

The forum highlighted the need to scale up climate-resilient initiatives and environmental protection efforts to support the rehabilitation of the Lake Chad Basin ecosystems and biodiversity.

Participants agreed that “free-trade zones” be established in the Lake Chad region to promote cross-border business and economic connectivity.

They said investing in the construction and/or rehabilitation of cross-border road infrastructure would promote transboundary trade and strengthen security.

To drive impactful and sustained progress, the forum committed to mobilise resources through the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF), and other regional funding initiatives.

Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, took over the rotating presidency from Ildjima Abdraman, governor of Hadjer Lamis province in Chad.

The sixth edition of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum will be held next year in the Republic of Niger.

MAMMAN MAHMOOD