By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for the repositioning of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to effectively respond to evolving security threats in the Lake Chad Basin.
Musa made the call on Tuesday in Abuja, at the opening of a High-Level International Forum on the MNJTF and security in the Lake Chad Region.
The event was organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Centre of the National Defence College (NDC).
He said the security environment in the Lake Chad Basin had changed considerably since the establishment of the MNJTF 11 years ago, requiring a more adaptive approach to regional security.
According to him, the forum should go beyond assessing the MNJTF’s past performance and focus on repositioning the force for greater effectiveness in the coming decade.
Musa said the MNJTF had played a significant role in combating terrorism, transnational crimes and other forms of insecurity in and around the Lake Chad Basin.
He said its operations had constrained terrorist groups, protected communities and facilitated the movement of people and cross-border trade among member countries.
The minister, however, acknowledged the challenges confronting the force, including changing security dynamics in the Sahel and adjustments in the support provided by some international partners.
He said the forum’s theme, “Repositioning the MNJTF to Effectively Combat Evolving Threat Dynamics in the Lake Chad Region,” was therefore timely.
Musa challenged participants to examine the future structure, capabilities, intelligence, command and control, logistics and financing of the MNJTF.
He also urged stakeholders to consider how to preserve regional cohesion and strengthen collective responses to emerging threats.
The minister said the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to working with neighbouring countries and international partners to strengthen the MNJTF.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu regarded the MNJTF as an important instrument of regional security and an example of what African countries could achieve through collective action.
Musa said the outcomes of the forum, particularly recommendations capable of strengthening collective capacity to respond to evolving threats, would receive due attention.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the forum provided an opportunity for practitioners, policymakers, academics and strategic partners to reflect on the MNJTF’s experience and continuing relevance.
Oluyede message presented at the occasion, said the complexity and transnational nature of contemporary security challenges required sustained cooperation, shared understanding and adaptable collective responses.
He expressed the hope that the deliberations would produce a practical communique to guide policy, strategy, operational cooperation and future engagement among stakeholders.
The CDS also called for the institutionalisation of regular reviews of the MNJTF to ensure that the force remained relevant, adaptable and fit for purpose as the security environment evolved.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, stressed the need for stronger intelligence sharing, effective early-warning mechanisms and timely responses to emerging threats in the region.
Enikanolaiye also called for sustainable and predictable funding for regional security initiatives, noting that reliance on voluntary contributions and ad-hoc support was not sustainable.
He advocated innovative funding mechanisms, including greater utilisation of existing African Union peace-support financing instruments.
The minister also emphasised the need to address underlying governance and development challenges, saying security responses should be complemented by stronger government presence and civilian interventions in affected communities.
He further called for greater coordination among military, civilian and international partners, as well as prioritisation of the protection of civilians in line with human rights principles.
The forum brought together representatives of the African Union, MNJTF, Lake Chad Basin Commission, troop-contributing countries and regional and international partners.
The MNJTF comprises troops from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with Benin also participating in the regional security arrangement. (NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
Comments