Nigeria, Chad set to activate multi-national JTF

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and Idriss Deby of Chad have reached an agreement to “move quickly to make the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operational in order to restore peace and security in the north-east of Nigeria and everywhere Boko Haram operates”.

This was contained in a communique issued on Thursday at the end of a meeting between both heads of states in Chad during Buhari’s visit.

“These discussions focused not only on bilateral issues, but also on regional and international issues and more especially the security situation in the sub-region,” it read.

“Their excellencies, Idriss Deby Itno and Muhammadu Buhari, strongly condemned the inhumane terrorist acts perpetrated on civilians in Nigeria and in its neighboring countries by Boko Haram insurgents.

“They underlined the consequences of insecurity, which include displacement of people and disruption of their trading activities, livelihood, and destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria and the entire Lake Chad region.

“Both heads of state expressed their willingness and commitment to collaborate at all levels to make more effective the common fight against the Boko Haram sect and restore peace and security which are vital for development in the region.”

In his speech, Buhari expressed “great pleasure” to be in Ndjamena on an official visit within the first week of his assumption of office as president.

“Your Excellency, I am in Ndjamena today to convey to you, your Government and the people of Chad, Nigeria’s profound appreciation of the invaluable support you have rendered in the fight against insurgency and sustained acts of terrorism in the north east of my country. Your troops have stood shoulder-to-shoulder and fought gallantly with ours, in the fight against the forces of evil. This is a remarkable show of good neighborliness, which we must reinforce in the years ahead,” he said.

“It is for this reason that I have committed myself to work for the security, peace, prosperity and stability of our region. In this regard, I cannot over emphasize the importance of cooperation and collaboration in tackling our common challenges, particularly in the areas of security and economic development. This is because security and development are mutually reinforcing.

“Your Excellency, permit me to note that our security is intricately linked. This compels us to cooperate fully on security issues in a robust and sustained manner. To this end, we must redouble our efforts to operationalize the Multi-National Joint Task Force with its Headquarters in Ndjamena. I believe the Task Force will stabilize the areas that have been ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency when it becomes fully operational. I am very confident that, Insha Allah, this insurgency will be brought to an end soon.

“A sad consequence of the insurgency is the harrowing images of our citizens, beamed across the globe, who have been forced to flee their homes and livelihood in search of safety and succor. We must restore their dignity and give them the comfort they need.

“But while working to solve our security challenge, we must recognize that this can only be a foundation for meeting the economic needs and welfare of our people. In this regard, my expectation is that we must unleash our full potential and work assiduously to turn the Lake Chad Basin Commission into a veritable agent of development.”

Buhari said Nigeria and Chad are bound by nature, which imposes on us the responsibility of finding appropriate synergy in dealing with an array of issues, notably effective border management, migration, and movement of goods, people and services.

“At the regional and international level, we will need to strengthen our collaboration and consultation on issues of common interest. I am pleased to note that Nigeria and Chad are both members of the African Union Peace and Security Council, as well as the United Nations Security Council. This is an opportunity for us to lend mutual diplomatic support to each other. Indeed, our officials must consult more regularly,” he said.

“Your Excellency, I will return to Nigeria with the assurance that Nigeria and Chad are poised to consolidate and deepen their cooperation.

“May I therefore, once again, thank you for your friendship, hospitality and warmth that you have generously displayed during my short but memorable visit to your country.”

Chadian and Nigerien troops had pulled out of the MNJTF headquarters in Baga, Borno state in January, following a high-casualty attack on the task force base by Boko Haram. But Alex Badeh, an air chief marshal and chief of defence staff, said they still remained part of the larger regional force.