Counter-terrorism and security experts from Cameroon and Nigeria are currently meeting in Yaoundé the nation’s capital.
The 3rd session of the Security Committee which started earlier today is expected to run till Friday the 20th.
The Security Committee is a mechanism set up by Cameroon and Nigeria to intensify their cooperation in the field of border security.
The main issues being discussed includes inter alia organized crime, customs fraud and smuggling, movement of light weapons and small arms, piracy, narcotics trafficking, uncontrolled movements of cattle, and communal conflicts.
Cameroon Concord gathered that this year’s session has been dominated by the emergence of the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
Our chief correspondent in Yaounde reported that the Nigerian delegation was led by General Samuel John Babatundé while the Cameroonian side had René Emmanuel Sadi, Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation.
Minister Rene Sadi observed during his opening remarks that there was the need for Cameroon and Nigeria to strengthen collaboration.The Cameroonian minister, stressed the point saying, "At a time when the atrocities of the Islamic sect keeps multiplying both in Nigeria and Cameroon, I am convinced that this 3rd session will strengthen the relationship between our two countries”.
It is important to include in this report that successive Nigerian governments have placed major stone walls on many security agreements involving the Lake Chad Basin Commission-notably the Babangida Administration.
The Boko Haram situation seems to have pushed Nigeria closer to Cameroon against the wishes of the French.
