President Bola Tinubu has urged for a comprehensive approach to address terrorism, insurgency, and other security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region. Speaking at the 5th meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Tinubu emphasized that military power alone is insufficient to contain security threats, and must be accompanied by strategies to address root causes such as poverty, inequality, and lack of job opportunities ¹.
Tinubu highlighted the importance of soft power in building bridges and fostering cooperation among nations. He also cautioned against allowing geopolitical tensions to undermine regional cooperation and stressed the need for collective commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Multifaceted Response: Tinubu calls for a comprehensive approach to address security challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region.
- Addressing Root Causes: Poverty, inequality, and lack of job opportunities must be addressed to prevent insecurity.
- Soft Power: Diplomacy, culture, and shared values are essential in building bridges and fostering cooperation.
- Regional Cooperation: Collective commitment to AfCFTA and UN SDGs is crucial for regional stability and development.
The meeting brought together eight governors from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the Republic of Niger, as well as humanitarian organizations and local and international communities, to address pressing security challenges and explore solutions for stability in the Lake Chad region ².
