Buhari Seeks Complementary Regional Effort In War On Terror
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has sought complementary regional effort to end the activities of terrorists and tackle insecurity in Africa, reports Channels TV.
Addressing the 25th Assembly of Heads of State and government of the African Union in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday, President Buhari said “the destructive effects of the inhuman and criminal campaigns of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria and neighbouring countries; the Al-Shabab attacks in East Africa, and the activities of the Al-Qaida in the Maghreb, all bear testimony to a continent under siege”.
The Nigerian leader told the gathering that he had adopted an approach that would work within the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to mobilse collective support to fight against Boko Haram terrorists.
“I have in this regard, directed the relocation of Nigeria’s Command Centre to place it closer to the theatre of action. Furthermore, I have vigorously engaged the members states of the LCBC to better coordinate the strategies and tactics in fighting the insurgency in the region. I believe that this approach can be enhanced through complimentary regional and continental efforts,” he said.
“An Embarrassment To Us”
President Buhari acknowledge what it called a ‘positive role’ played by former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, in averting the feared post-election crisis and in facilitating the peaceful transition of power.
He expressed concerns over the images in the international mass media of African youths getting drowned in the Mediterranean Sea on their illegal attempts, and often times illusory hope of attaining better life in Europe.
“It is not only an embarrassment to us as leaders, but dehumanises our persons. Indeed, they combine to paint a very unfavourable picture of our peoples and countries.”
President Buhari urged all African leaders to reverse the ‘ugly trend’. “We must put an end to the so-called push factors that compel our young men and women to throw caution to the winds and risk life, limbs and all, on this dangerous adventure.
“We must redouble our efforts to sustain the economic development of our countries, ensure empowerment of our youths, create more jobs, improve and upgrade our infrastructure, and above all continue the enthronement of a regime of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and rule of law. These and other measures that engender peace and stability must be pursued relentlessly.
“In this connection, we must persist in our collective endeavour to work together through the African Union and our respective Regional Economic Communities (RECs), to uplift our continent and provide the African peoples the enabling environment for the realization of their legitimate dreams and aspirations,” the Nigerian leader said.
He further assured the gathering of the unflinching commitment of Nigeria to the ideals and aspirations of the African Union as explained in the Agenda 2063, which is geared towards ensuring a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa in the next 50 years.
