A recent development at the end of January 2025 business week, Friday, 31st, saw governors of the Lake Chad Basin region conclude its 5th forum, as the region promised to consolidate efforts on peace building, in order to attain sustainable development.
The Governors’ position was contained in a communique at the end of the three-day meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, which started on Wednesday 29th, January, 2025, as the meeting discussed about “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community.”
The governors, used the opportunity to commend the progress made under the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience (RS SRR), as it called for its continued implementation.
They therefore urged the LCBC Council of Ministers and the AU Peace and Security Council to endorse the adjusted RS SRR, while also seeking increased private sector engagement and funding.
The governors, also acknowledged the crucial role of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in combating terrorism and pledged to strengthen its capacity, as they reiterated their commitment to eliminating Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other terrorist groups.
According to the communique, the region as a body, also highlighted the need for a regional policy on transitional justice and community-based reconciliation and reintegration, using the opportunity to address humanitarian challenges, expressing concern over the impact of climate change, unemployment, and economic hardship.
They further stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, as they called for the resumption of donor support for Niger’s National Window of the Regional Stabilization Facility.
According to our findings, Key resolutions from the forum included commitments to strengthening the MNJTF and cross-border security, neutralizing all non-state armed groups, combating illicit trade and drug trafficking, scaling up climate resilience initiatives.
Others included strengthening collaboration with traditional rulers and civil society, facilitating cross-border trade and infrastructure development.
The governors, aslo expressed appreciation to President Boka Tinubu, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and the people of Nigeria for their hospitality even as they acknowledged the contributions of the AUC, UNDP, and other partners.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has been elected as the new chairman of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum. His election took place on Friday during an extraordinary meeting of the forum in Maiduguri, the capital of Yobe State.
9News Nigeria, reports that the meeting witnessed a robust participation from regional leaders and international partners, which was convened by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and hosted by the Yobe Government, and also brought together Governors from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
Others included representatives of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and international partners.
