Nigeria to partner with AES countries to reposition MNJTF

The Defence Headquarters said plans are underway with junta-led Sahelian countries to reposition the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional force formed to coordinate war against Boko Haram insurgency affecting the Lake Chad region.

Defence spokesperson Samaila Uba disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), a unit in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

Mr Uba, a Nigerian Army major general, said the repositioning effort was discussed at a regional forum that brought together former and serving MNJTF force commanders, academics and other experts to examine the future of the regional military coalition

According to him, the forum also examined the implications of the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), also known as Alliance des États du Sahel, from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including diplomatic alternatives and options for addressing challenges arising from the withdrawal.

“We also examined the diplomatic alternatives and options available to address issues arising from the withdrawal of those countries from ECOWAS,” he said.

Mr Uba said the forum also discussed prospective developments and measures to enhance the task force’s effectiveness while addressing the security implications of shifting political alliances in the region.

“I assure you that we will begin to see the dividends of that high-level engagement very soon,” he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the MNJTF was established in 2015 to combat Boko Haram insurgency affecting countries surrounding the Lake Chad region. The countries that were part of the MNJTF include Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin. Niger has stopped participating in its activities since it joined the AES.

However, the withdrawal of three member countries (Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso) from ECOWAS, following successful military coups, has raised questions about regional cooperation and diplomatic engagement in addressing shared security challenges. The three countries exited ECOWAS, formed AES, and have so far rejected overtures to return to ECOWAS.