destabilise the region.
”Our region has made commendable progress in the realization of its
regional integration and we must not allow terrorist groups to
destabilize our Community and undermine the aspirations of our people
for a safe, secure and prosperous environment,” President Buhari said
in his speech at the Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of ECOWAS
Heads of State and Government on Counter-Terrorism.
”It is, therefore, our collective responsibility not to let up but to
win the fight against terrorism and stamp out the scourge from our
region,” he added.
President Buhari, who joined other ECOWAS leaders for the special
one-day Summit, which was also attended by leaders of Chad and
Mauritania decried that terrorism, today, has become a major security
threat across the globe.
He warned that the activities of terrorist groups constitute a grave
danger to peace and security in West Africa, the wider Sahel and the
global community.
”The frequency of attacks, the determination and resilience of the
terrorist groups as well as the ease with which they raise funds and
acquire sophisticated weapons are matters of serious concern which
should engage our attention as a Community.
”Equally worrisome, is the continuing spread of the menace of terrorism
in the region and the growing link between terrorism and organized
crime.
”This is why we must not relent in our efforts until we defeat the
monster completely.
”And the best way to achieve this objective is through coordinated
regional actions and responses against terrorism, insurgency, banditry,
inter-communal disputes while we also put in place policies and measures
that will address their root causes including the re-establishment and
protection of livelihoods,” he said.
Sharing the experience of Nigeria in fighting the scourge, the President
told the summit:
”As a major victim of Boko Haram terrorist activities, Nigeria has
remained resolute in efforts to combat and eradicate them in all their
forms and manifestations.
”Our counter-terrorism strategy which includes prevention, prosecution
and reconstruction is also in full compliance with the Yamoussoukro
counter-terrorism strategy adopted by ECOWAS Member States.
”In combating terrorism and addressing the resultant humanitarian
crisis, through regional and international collaboration, ECOWAS as a
Regional Economic Cooperation, would need in partnership with the
African Union, to galvanise international support and solidarity to
combat and defeat this menace in our region”.
The Nigerian leader also used the occasion to apprise the regional
leaders on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin and the operations of
the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
He described the situation in Lake Chad Basin, historically a bastion of
rich culture and civilization, an area abundant in natural resources
providing livelihoods to tens of millions of people, as tragic.
He noted that the area has become an abode for terrorist groups and
extremists whose primitive intent was wanton destruction of lives of
innocent citizens and properties as well as public infrastructure.
On MNJTF, the President reported that the achievements recorded so far
in the operations remain an exemplary model of regional collaboration.
”MNJTF has largely succeeded in degrading the Boko Haram terrorist
group. This could not have been accomplished without the recognition by
the affected Lake Chad Basin Countries and Benin Republic, of the need
to harness our efforts and resources to confront our common enemy which
has now been substantially weakened.
”While much still remains to be done, I encourage MNJTF to stay
steadfast in their mission, as I urge the political leadership of the
LCBC countries to continue to preserve our solidarity and commitment
towards achieving durable peace and sustainable development in these
areas.
”In this regard, it is imperative that we continuously strive to
provide the necessary resources and tools to the MNJTF, the G5 Sahel
Joint Force, the Accra Initiative and similar initiatives, to lead the
war on terrorism, violent extremism and trans-border crimes across the
region, ” he said.
President Buhari said he expects that the adoption of the road map,
priority areas and other recommendations to the Ouagadougou Summit, if
properly implemented, would go a long way in addressing the spread of
terrorism and violent extremism in the region.