Boko Haram: Multinational joint task force still awaited

The recent announcement at the CEMAC Summit that affected countries be assisted raises the question of the non-effectiveness of the force.

The final communiqué that ended May 5 and 6, 2015 Libreville-Gabon Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Central African Monetary and Economic Union (CEMAC) talked about the need for member States to continue assisting fellow nations affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

The issue however, brings back memories of sub-regional efforts for a task force; an idea that was taken over by the African Union.

The 24th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments on January 30, 2015, announced the setting up of a Multinational Joint Task force (MJTF) of 7,500 men to fight Boko Haram. Later in March 6, 2015, the African Union upgraded its proposed MJTF to 10,000 men.

This followed the recommendation by experts of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to increase the MJTF strength to 8,700 as a prelude to the extraordinary session of the Defence and Security Commission (CDS) of the Peace and Security Council of Central Africa (COPAX), which brought together Heads of States and Government of member countries in Yaounde on February 16, 2015.

Since March 6, 2015, the MJTF is still awaited as the Boko Haram insurgents still remain a menace, even though considerably weakened on the field by coalition forces made up of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

Several assurances were given by Western officials recently that raised hope that the United Nations resolution to render the MJTF operational was imminent.

When the British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Brian Olley, on April 3, 2015, issued a release announcing his country’s support of FCFA 4.4 billion, he said it was for the new MJTF that has been mandated by the African Union.

“A Security Council resolution is currently being negotiated to welcome the force and the UK is working towards the swift adoption of the resolution,” he told Cameroon Tribune.

In another interview granted to Cameroon Tribune about the same time, the French Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Christine Robichon, said intense negotiations had taken place between members of the Security Council. “There has been progress, but no conclusion. Discussions will continue in New York and France will remain active in them,” said the French diplomat.

The visit to Cameroon on March 16, 2015, of a delegation the Security Council’s Anti-terrorism Committee lit up hopes, likewise the earlier visit to Cameroon on March 10, 2015, by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs, Amanda Dory.

She announced “robust US support” which may have materialised by the stated US government aid of FCFA 20 billion granted to the four countries engaged in the war against Boko Haram.

The three-year package was announced by US Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Michael S. Hoza, while launching the Global Security Emergency Fund in Yaounde on May 5, 2015.