Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters has announced plans to partner with Sahelian countries to enhance the effectiveness of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), an initiative established to address the Boko Haram insurgency affecting the Lake Chad area. Major General Samaila Uba, a defense spokesperson, shared this update during a security briefing held at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Abuja.
The repositioning strategy was a focal point of a recent regional forum that included former and current MNJTF commanders, academics, and security experts, who convened to discuss the future of the military coalition. Uba noted that the forum also evaluated the implications of the Alliance of Sahel States’ (AES) withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), along with exploring diplomatic methods to tackle challenges stemming from this shift.
“We also examined the diplomatic alternatives and options available to address issues arising from the withdrawal of those countries from ECOWAS,” Uba mentioned, stressing the importance of adapting to evolving political alliances in the region.
The MNJTF was initially established in 2015 to combat Boko Haram and comprises Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. However, Niger has not participated in MNJTF activities since joining the AES. The departure of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS—following successful military coups—has raised concerns regarding regional cooperation and the collaborative effort to mitigate shared security threats.
Uba assured attendees that the benefits of this high-level collaboration will soon become apparent, as initiatives are set to bolster the task force’s operational capabilities.
