A multinational armed force underway to counter Boko Haram

According to an official source, four States bordering Lake Chad will establish "a multinational armed force" to counter the "increasingly large" threat from the Nigerian armed Islamist Group Boko Haram.

According to this source, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon are committed to providing 700 soldiers to this force. Five African heads of State (Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Benin) had adopted mid-May in Paris, with the support of the West, a plan of 'war' against the Islamist armed group, which includes "a military presence around Lake Chad and a capacity to intervene in case of danger".

"We are growing up in strength: each of the Member countries of the LCBC (Lake Chad Basin Commission) has made a commitment to deploy a contingent of 700 men within this multinational Force", revealed Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o, responsible for defence in the Presidency of Cameroon, who was speaking during a meeting between the president of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, and heads of the armies and the CBLT States, in Niamey.

The CBLT includes five countries: Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. But according to a source at the Nigerian Ministry of Defense, the Central African Republic, plunged into chaos and sectarian violence, is not represented at the meeting in Niamey and provide no troops.

The contours of the multinational force have not yet been defined. "The contingent will be headed by a staff which will continue to stamp out insecurity", said Mr. Mebe.

The meeting which ended Wednesday was focused on "practical measures to be taken in the fight against terrorism" in these states. Benin, which is not a member of CBLT but a neighbor to Nigeria, also participated.

Cameroon has long been criticized by its neighbours for its passivity in the fight against Boko Haram on its own territory - Nigeria, which is of primary concern, was already cooperating with Chad and Niger-, before deciding to deploy elite troops in the border area of the North.