Niger: Common regional actions to fight against Boko Haram

Un sommet régional de chefs d'Etat africains pour lutter contre Boko Haram s'est achevé, ce mardi 7 octobre, à Niamey. Il réunissait, autour du président nigérien Mahamadou Issoufou, les présidents du Nigeria, du Tchad et du Bénin. Le Cameroun était représenté par son ministre de la Défense. Les participants se sont mis d'accord sur un certain nombre de mesures pour renforcer la sécurité dans la région du lac Tchad et pour une meilleure coordination des efforts.

A regional African Heads of State Summit to fight against Boko Haram was completed this past Tuesday, October 7th in Niamey. It brought together, around the Nigerien president Mahamadou Issoufou, the presidents of Nigeria, Chad and Benin.  Cameroon was represented by its Defense minister.  The participants agreed on a certain number of measures to strengthen security in the Lake Chad region and a better coordination of efforts.

This article was originally translated from French.  Click here to read more from RFI.

It is with a final statement that the extra ordinary Head of States meeting ended in Niamey.  Faced with the massacres of populations by Boko Haram's insurgents, the Heads of States, gathered in Niamey, decided to fight Boko Haram and its branches by any means necessary.

A common fighting strategy from chiefs of staff of the different countries of the Lake Chad basin has already been developed.  Everything will be ready before November 20th, namely, the coordination of joint forces and the finalization of quotas.

Head of States _ who regrettably noticed the reign of terror that Boko Haram's insurgents cause on civilians _ decided to mutualize their actions.

For the president of Chad, Idriss Deby, nothing will ever be the same. "The situation is critical.  Boko Haram has set up shop in the bed of Lake Chad" he declared.

The Heads of State Summit calls for a large international coalition to fight Boko Haram and already, Benin_ which feels a sense of solidarity towards other threatened countries_ decided to place a division of soldiers at its border with neighboring country Nigeria.

For Benin's president, Boni Yayi, Benin is not yet safe. "It can be attacked at any time by this asymmetrical war that Boko Haram insurgents impose on us.  Benin is part of it" he noted.

The Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces conflict has caused more than 10000 deaths and 700000 displaced in 5 years.

This article was translated by Ismael Koita, Staff Intern with the Africa Program at the Wilson Center. 

Photo  adapted from http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/niger.pdf {{UN map}}