CMR, others resolve to fight insurgencies in W/A

Five neighbouring countries of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Republic of Benin have resolved to establish a Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) headquarters in Baga in northern Nigeria by November 20, 2014 as part of measures to combat the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.

The one-day meeting on security held on Monday in Abuja and attended by the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the member countries, noted with deep regrets the continuous atrocities being committed by the Boko Haram sect in the sub-region.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Aminu Wali, who read the draft resolution after the ministerial meeting of member-states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Benin Republic, said that the ministers agreed to put in place an appropriate legal framework for military operations against insurgents in the sub-region.

“The meeting expressed the determination to coordinate the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin and commended the pledges by the LCBC member-states and Benin Republic to deploy contingents along their common borders.

“The ministers committed to the implementation of the decisions of the Heads of State and Government on the establishment of the MNJTF Headquarters by November 20, 2014. The ministers are committed to the deployment of the pledged contingents by the LCBC member-states and Benin Republic within their national borders by November 1, 2014.

“The meeting requested Niger Republic to introduce the draft resolution to the Peace and Security Council of the Africa Union AU), while the Republic of Chad, and Nigeria would introduce the resolution to the UN Security Council.

“The ministers further directed their Permanent Representatives in New York and their Ambassadors in Addis Ababa to hold consultations with a view of ensuring the adoption of the resolution by the Security Council.