Please refer to the attached file.
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1126th meeting held on 12th December 2022, on the Consideration of the Mandate of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram Terrorist Group.
The Peace and Security Council,
Recalling its previous pronouncements and decisions on the activities of the MNJTF and the situation in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.2/1057 (2022)] adopted at its 1057th meeting held on 14th January 2022, and at which the PSC renewed the mandate of the MNJTF for a period of 12 months, as well as Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXXXIX)] adopted at its 489th meeting held on 3rd March 2015, which requested the Commission to take all necessary steps in support of the full operationalization of the MNJTF;
Noting the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Victor Adeleke, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of December 2022 and the statement by H.E Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; also noting the briefings by H.E Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of MNJTF, and Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, MNJTF Force Commander;
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to continue supporting the MNJTF; and
Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:
1. Welcomes the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the activities of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram terrorist group; also welcomes the progress thus far achieved in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and in the implementation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy for the countries affected by the Boko Haram terrorist group; reiterates the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and notes with concern that the Boko Haram terrorist group remains an existential threat to peace, security and development in the Lake Chad Basin region and the Continent as a whole;
2. Pays tribute to the MNJTF personnel for their gallantry, professionalism and relentless commitment to the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group and, in this regard, commends the troop contributing countries for their continued support;
3. Welcomes the voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and* calls* for a redoubling of efforts towards the mobilization of the required humanitarian assistance, including resettlement and the provision of psycho-social support to the population affected by Boko Haram;
4. Encourages the AU and the international community to continue supporting MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), namely Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, in the development, implementation and enhancement of comprehensive reintegration plans for surrendered Boko Haram fighters and their families, in line with existing national frameworks, as well as international norms and standards; and requests the AU Commission to continue supporting all efforts to consolidate, sustain and improve the security gains of the MNJTF operations in the affected areas;
5. Stresses the need for the redoubling of efforts towards the mobilization of financial resources for the Mission and, in this regard, expresses its deep appreciation to partners for their continued support to the MNJTF, particularly the European Union (EU);
6. Urges the countries of the Lake Chad Basin region to remain extremely vigilant and enhance border security to curtail the proliferation of foreign fighters and arms, as well as to reinforce regional engagements on the control of small arms and light weapons;
7. Commends the efforts of ECOWAS and ECCAS in the region and underscores the need to ensure greater interface between MNJTF, ECOWAS, ECCAS and LCBC;
8. *Requests *the AU Commission and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) to renew the MoU and Support Implementation Agreement (SIA) that guides the provision of additional AU support to the MNJTF for a period of one year (1st February 2023 to 31st January 2024);
9. Calls for the restructuring of the MNJTF into a multidisciplinary force with robust police and civilian components that takes into consideration a comprehensive approach to addressing terrorism;
10. Decides to renew the mandate of the MNJTF for another 12 months with effect from 1 February 2023;
11. Decidesto remain actively seized of the matter.