AU Security Council to visit Nigeria, Lake Chad Basin countries

NAN-H-67

Visit

By Isaac Aregbesola

Abuja, July 28, 2017 (NAN) The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), will be undertaking a three-day Field Mission to the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, including Nigeria between July 30 and Aug.1.

Sarah Sanda, Media Special Adviser to Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, said on Friday in Abuja that the visit was to rally support for the people affected by Boko Haram insurgence.

Sanda said that the mission was made up of 15 members of the PSC and some members of staff of African Union Commission (AUC).

According to her, the mission is expected to be led by Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for July.

She further said the planned visit was sequel to proposal made by Nigeria, being the Chair of the AUPSC for July.

The proposal she said, was to include the activity in the Provisional Programme of Work of the AUPSC for July.

“The overall objective of the mission is to show continued AU solidarity with the people and countries of the Lake Chad Basin affected by the menace of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

“It is also to urge the international community to support the people displaced by Boko Haram activities and are in dire need of humanitarian support.

“The Mission will seek to obtain first hand information on the security and humanitarian developments in the Lake Chad Basin region.

According to her, it is also expected that at the end of the field visit to the Lake Chad Basin region, the team would have achieved some level of success on burning issues.

The achievement include; acquisition of comprehensive knowledge regarding the current security and humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin Region and the best way of addressing them.

“Other expectations also include a better understanding of the current challenges being faced by the Multinational Joint Task Force and the necessary measures required to effectively address those challenges.

“It is also expected that the team would ascertain the challenges faced by the governments of the region in supporting the population affected by Boko Haram activities,” she said. (NAN)

IAA/AAB/DUA
Edited Adeboye Ajayi/Dada Ahmed