Secretary-General Welcomes Agreement between European, African Union Commission, to Multi-National Joint Task Force Initiative Combating Boko Haram

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the signing of an agreement between the European Commission and the African Union Commission, in Brussels on 1 August 2016, for a €50 million European Union contribution to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), an initiative of the Lake Chad Basin countries and Benin to combat Boko Haram in the subregion.

The Secretary-General wishes to take this opportunity to commend the Lake Chad Basin countries and Benin for the significant progress achieved in combating the terrorist threat posed by Boko Haram.  He particularly welcomes the enhanced cooperation and coordination by countries of the region, their individual contributions to the Force and the sacrifices made in the fight against Boko Haram.

The Secretary-General renews the United Nations readiness to continue to support regional efforts in the fight against terrorism, consistent with its mandate.  He reiterates his call on MNJTF member States to ensure that counter-terrorism measures are in full compliance with their obligations under international human rights, humanitarian and refugee laws.  This is crucial, as Boko Haram is most unlikely to be defeated if the affected communities do not have confidence in the armed forces that are supposed to protect them.

The Secretary-General encourages the Governments of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria to consolidate MNJTF operations by re-establishing State authority and resuming social services in Boko Haram-affected areas, as well as creating an environment conducive for the safe and voluntary return, resettlement or local integration of the internally displaced and refugee populations.

The Secretary-General commends the European Union for this timely contribution and urges the international community to continue to enhance its support to regional efforts to combat the Boko Haram threat and in mitigating the impact of its activities through the provision of requisite humanitarian, political, financial and logistical support.