Brussels, 17/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission's decision to contribute up to €50 million to finance the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region (see EUROPE 11528) is to be translated swiftly into concrete action for more effective operations.
The European Commission and African Union Commission announced this news at the second regional security summit in Abuja (Nigeria) on 12-14 May, thus confirming their determination to move up a gear in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group - which is ever more active in North-East Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
“The national contingents operating bilaterally and as part of the MNJTF have since been deployed and are conducting operations. The force however needs the necessary infrastructure and transport and communication assets to allow it to effectively coordinate and command operations”, a joint statement, published on Saturday 14 May by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and AU commissioner for peace and security Smail Chergui, says.
The statement adds: “As we are getting ready to sign contractual arrangements, which will swiftly translate the financing decision into a well-sequenced set of activities to achieve the expected results, we reiterate our strong mutual engagement to contribute to restore a safe and secure environment in the areas affected by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups and to support the Multi-National Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in order to secure the civilian population”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)