On Wednesday, the African Union (AU) announced it would allocate $800,000 to support the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in strengthening its counter-terrorism efforts in the Lake Chad Basin.
This announcement was made by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Adeoye Bankole, during the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State. He highlighted the MNJTF’s key role since 2015 in securing areas impacted by insurgency, reducing violent attacks, and facilitating stabilization initiatives.
Bankole revealed that the AU, which has supported the MNJTF since its establishment, would provide an additional $800,000 to enhance its operations. The funding aims to improve the MNJTF’s ability to conduct counter-terrorism operations, boost intelligence sharing, and assist regional stabilization efforts.
He acknowledged that the security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin far exceed the available resources and reiterated the AU’s commitment to strengthening the MNJTF with the necessary support to combat terrorism effectively. He also appealed to international partners for continued financial and logistical backing.
Bankole emphasized that, while the MNJTF has made notable progress, sustained funding and global cooperation are essential to solidify its achievements and prevent the resurgence of terrorist activities. He called on member states and international partners to ensure ongoing support, stressing the MNJTF’s importance for regional stability.
Finally, Bankole underlined the need for Lake Chad Basin governments to incorporate counter-terrorism and stabilization efforts into their national budgets, noting that combating terrorism requires not only military action but also coordinated governance, humanitarian efforts, and socio-economic recovery.
