Buhari, Biya reiterate commitment to defeat Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Camerounian counterpart, Paul Biya, have agreed to work together to combat the menace of terrorism and defeat the Boko Haram sect.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting between the two leaders noted with satisfaction the successes recorded so far on the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency and condemned the murderous activities perpetrated by the sect. They commended the efforts of both Nigerian and Cameroonian military under the multinational joint task force, especially the two recent joint operations conducted in Ngoshe and Kumti, both within the Nigerian territory.

Buhari and Biya also commended the ongoing clearance operation being carried out by the military in both countries to bring the activities of the terrorists to an end. The two presidents also reaffirmed their commitment to continue to support the Multinational Joint Task Force till Boko Haram is eliminated.

They also welcomed ongoing discussions on the fate of arrested Boko Haram members in each of these countries and stressed the need for a judicial framework that would ensure their fair trial and if need be, be transferred to their countries in accordance with international best practices.

The two leaders expressed commitment to the upcoming second session of the regional security summit in Abuja on the May 14, 2016 and pledged to fully participate in the processes and to implement the outcome of the meeting to ensure peace and security in the Lake Chad basin.

The two leaders also agreed that the tripartite meeting of the two countries and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, should be convened by July 2016 with a view to agreeing on a framework to the safe return of Nigerian refugees currently hosted by Cameroon.

According to the communiqué, the two leaders also welcomed the increased interests by investors in the economies of both countries that would strengthen and expand the already mutual, beneficial economic cooperation between the two countries.

They also pledged readiness to work together to harness the investments potentials that both countries have in order to open up opportunities for their people and urged the ministers of economics in the two countries to convene the Nigeria, Cameroon Forum in Abuja as soon as possible.

They welcomed reports from a meeting between the two countries on the modalities for the construction of a bridge over the Nile Tier River that will link Belel in Nigeria and Damsan in Cameroon and related infrastructure along the Jabi -Lamba -Garuwa corridor and directed for the early signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, and terms of reference as well as the execution of the project.

Concerning the demarcation of borders in the remaining areas between the two countries, both leaders agreed that following the gradual return of peace to affected areas, experts of both countries should resume the demarcation exercise as soon as possible.