The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1057^th virtual meeting held on 14 January 2022, considered the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram and adopted the following decision:

The Peace and Security Council:

Recalling its previous decisions on the activities of the MNJTF and the situation in the Lake Chad Basin, in particular Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CMLXXIII) adopted at its 973^rd on 18 January 2021, Communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXXXIX) adopted at its 489^th meeting held on 3 March 2015 and Communiqué PSC/AHG/COMM. 2(CDLXXXIV) adopted at its 484^th meeting held on 29 January 2015;

Taking note of the opening remarks made by H.E. Ambassador Amma A. Twum-Amoah, the Permanent Representative of Republic of Ghana to the AU, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of January 2022, and the presentation by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; also taking note of the presentations by the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, H.E. Amb. Mamman Nuhu and the Commander of the MNJTF Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim; further taking note of the statements made by the representative of the Republic of Ghana as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the representative of the Republic of Gabon, as the Chair of the Economic Community of the Central African States (ECCAS);

Expressing AU’s unwavering commitment and support to the MNJTF and encouraging MNJTF Forces to remain resolute until the Boko Haram terrorist group is completely eliminated; and

Acting under Article 7 of the Protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council,

1. Endorses the Report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram; and welcomes the significant progress made in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group in the region;

2. Commends the efforts and significant progress made by the MNJTF and its Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs, namely, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, plus Benin in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group, and for their dedication and commitment towards degrading the operational capability of the Boko terrorist group, with a view to creating an enabling environment for peace, stability and development in the region;

3. Pays tribute to the brave soldiers and civilians that have paid the ultimate price and expresses heartfelt condolences to the families and Governments of those that have lost their lives in this regard;

4. Strongly condemns the continued attacks and abuses perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorist group against innocent civilians and troops, which have resulted in destruction of infrastructure and widespread population displacement and exacerbated the serious humanitarian crisis in the region, and warns that the perpetrators of these attacks shall be brought to justice;

5. Underscores that, Boko Haram terrorist group still remains a threat for the countries of the region and the Continent as a whole, that need for robust and well-coordinated multi-joint operations to completely eliminate the terrorist group in their hideouts within the Lake Chad Tumbuns;

6. Expresses deep concern, once again, over the continued use of Improvised Explosives Device (IED) within the MNJTF Area of Operation and on military forces and civilian targets by Boko Haram; in this regard, reaffirms the need for the Commission, in coordination with the Member States of LCBC plus Benin, to engage with partners and other relevant stakeholders to explore urgently the possibility of more effectively responding to this threat, as well as curtailing any other form of political, military and financial support to the Boko Haram terrorist group;

7. Welcomes the outcomes of the joint field assessment that was carried out from 4 to 9 July 2021 and the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting held on 10 August 2021, involving the AU Commission, the LCBC Executive Secretariat, the MNJTF TCCs and the European Union (EU), which among others, recommended for continued support to MNJTF beyond 2021 and identified additional requirements;

8. In this regard, requests the AU Commission to mobilise additional support for the activities of the MNJTF to fill the identified capability gaps, in particular the provision of Armoured Personnel Vehicles (APCs)/Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MPAPs) vehicles and Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) equipment, Amphibious Equipment, Surveillance equipment including military grade drones, field communication equipment, as well as support to MNJTF Civil-Military Cooperation activities including through the provision of resources for Quick Impact and Peace Strengthening Projects, Humanitarian support for the affected population; also requests the AU Commission to support MNJTF Sectors in the handling of persons associated with Boko Haram, particularly through the establishment of transit facilities that enables efficient processing and transfer of surrendered Boko Haram fighters to the respective national authorities for their required and necessary actions in line with acceptable International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law standards;

9. Reiterates the need for full implementation of the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RSS) of the Boko Haram-affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region, including, through the AU Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Centre, with a view to ensuring that development projects are developed and implemented to alleviate the living conditions of the people in the region; in this regard, encourages the countries concerned to continue to institutionalise the RSS through the implementation of the Territorial Action Plans (TAP) in order to ensure local ownership and support;

10. Expresses gratitude to the AU’s partners, in particular the EU, for their continued support to the activities of the MNJTF, including the 20 million Euros to support MNJTF for the year 2022;

11. Expresses deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in the affected areas in the LCB region, which has been accentuated by the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic; and in this respect, appeals to all AU Members States and the international community to redouble their humanitarian support to the affected communities; in the same context, calls on the Member States of the LCBC plus Benin to provide the necessary support to resettlement of the returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including providing rehabilitation support and protection to persons associated with Boko Haram that have surrendered;

12. Requests the AU Commission, working closely with the Member States of the LCBC plus Benin and the MNJTF TCCs, to renew the Memorandum of Understating (MoU) and Support Implementation Agreement (SIA) between AU, LCBC and MNJTF TCCs in support of MNJTF operations;

13. Stresses the need to ensure that gains made to date and the current momentum in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Basin region are consolidated; in this regard, requests AU Commission to scale up its efforts to support the LCBC to deepen partnerships with ECOWAS and ECCAS, as well as other relevant regional institutions, including the newly established African Union Development Agency (AUDA);

14. Decides to renew the mandate of the MNJTF for another period of twelve (12) months, effective from 01 February 2022;

15. Requests the AU Commission, working in coordination with the LCBC Secretariat, to report to Council regularly on the activities of the MNJTF, in line with the relevant provisions contained in the Communiqué PSC/AHG/ COMM.2(CDLXXXIV) of 29 January 2015; and

16. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS