Despite Niger’s ECOWAS Exit, MNJTF Sustains Colloborations with Member Countries
…As Force Commander visits Cameroon in Strengthening Synergy on Counter Terrorism
With the exit of Niger Republic from ECOWAS, the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has sustained its relationship with partnering countries towards it’s counter terrorism in the Lake Chad region.
Last Sunday, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announced that their withdrawal from ECOWAS due to what they called inhumane sanctions imposed on them following the coups in their countries. They also claimed that the bloc has moved away from its founding principles and no longer protects its members
Niger is one of the five countries in the taskforce of MNJTF which include Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republic.
Similarly, PRNigeria reports that the MNJTF works in close collaboration with its strategic and technical partners that include France, the United Kingdom, France and the United States of America. It also has the United Nations Organization, the European Union and the African Union among others as partners international organizations.
Meanwhile, the MNJTF and Cameroon Ministry of Defence have strengthen synergy towards total defeat of remnant Boko Haram terrorists in Lake Chad Basin region. This was revealed during a courtesy visit of MNJTF Commander, Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali to Ministry of Defence, Yaounde on 1 February 2024.
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General Ali highlighted some successes accomplished by MNJTF in Cameroonian Sector 1. He attributed the successes to commitment of the government of Cameroon to support MNJTF at all times.
He stated that more terrorists continue to lay down their arms and embrace peace while many communities have returned to their ancestral homes. Therefore, the Force Commander expressed his appreciation to government and people of Cameroon of all their supports to achieve such milestones.
Gen Ali reaffirmed the commitment of MNJTF to rid Lake Chad region of any Boko Haram terrorists activities adding that all troops contributing countries have been up to their tasks in meeting their obligations to MNJTF. He appeal for more support to troops of Sector 1 to be able to accomplish their objectives.
In his remarks, the Cameroon Minister of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo commended MNJTF for its efforts in fulfilling its mandates despite challenges. He added that his country is strengthening cooperation with all the partners to ensure defeat of Boko Haram remnants. He pledged that Cameroon would never relent in supporting MNJTF.
Similarly, the Force Commander paid a visit to Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rene Claude Meka where they discussed issues on security of Lake Chad Basin.
The Chief of Defence Staff who was represented by Maj Gen Tchemo Hector Marie expressed that Cameroon Armed Forces are fully committed to MNJTF and are not ready to give freedom of action to any terrorist in their territory.
By PRNigeria
