Communique of the 721st meeting of the AU PSC, on the Report of its Field Mission to the countries of the Lake Chad Basin

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COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 721^st meeting held on 28 September 2017, considered the Report of its Field Mission to the countries of the Lake Chad Basin that was conducted from 27 to 31 July 2017 and adopted the following decision:

Council,

1. Recalls its earlier decisions and pronouncements on the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group and efforts aimed at neutralizing it, in particular the press statement PSC/PR/BR. (DCCII) of its 702^nd meeting held on 19 July 2017, by which Council decided to undertake a field mission to the Lake Chad Basin countries. Council also recalls the Press Statement PSC/PR/BR. (DCLXXX) of its 680^th meeting held on 18 April 2017, Communique [PSC/PR/2. (DCXXXIX)] adopted at its 639^th meeting held on 29 November 2016 and Communique [PSC/AHG/COMM. 2(CDLXXXIV)] adopted at its 484^th meeting held on 29 January 2015, at the level of Heads of State and Government, by which Council authorized the deployment of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF);

2. Pays tribute to the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, plus the Republic of Benin, for the sacrifices and the tremendous progress made in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group, which has been considerably weakened and entirely dislodged from almost all its strongholds. In this respect, Council welcomes the invaluable contribution made by the MNJTF in the promotion of peace, security and stability in the Lake Chad Basin, despite the logistic and financial constraints encountered by the Mission in the conduct of ongoing operations;

3. Stresses that, despite MNJTF successes, Boko Haram still retains the capacity to continue to threaten peace and security in the region, in particular through the perpetration of asymmetric attacks on isolated locations, strike at soft targets such as markets and public gatherings, in the form of guerilla warfare and suicide bombings that unfortunately targets innocent civilian population;

4. Takes note with concern of the challenges with critical resources currently being faced by MNJTF in its operations against Boko Haram, including predictable funding, river and air navigation capacities. Council stresses the imperative that, as a successful reference model of multinational cooperation to address security challenges relating to violent extremism and terrorism, the MNJTF deserves greater and more expedited support from within the continent and the larger international community for its efforts;

5. Welcomes the support thus far provided by the AU and the international community, in particular the European Union (EU), that contribute to facilitate the MNJTF operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group. In this respect, Council reiterates the need for continued consultation and coordination between the AU, the partners and MNJTF, with regard to procurement and delivery of the logistical support to the mission to meet the requirements of the troops and the conditions on the ground. Council, given the fragility of the gains made thus far in the fight against Boko Haram, urges the AU Commission, in close cooperation and coordination with the LCBC and MNJTF, to find a rapid solution to all administrative bottlenecks that continue to delay the much

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needed support to the Mission. Council further urges the EU to participate in that effort, with a view to expedite the full use of its financial contribution to MNJTF operations;

6. Expresses once again its deep concern at the dire humanitarian situation prevailing in the region, in particular the increasing number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in the North East of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, resulting from the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group. Council takes note with appreciation of the number of national initiatives taken by the countries of the region from their own resources to mitigate the humanitarian situation. Council reiterates its call on the international community to provide the necessary assistance, commensurate to the needs of the affected people in the area, including the rehabilitation of the numerous Boko Haram fighters that have surrendered. Council underlines the need for a rapid disbursement of pledges made at the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region held on 24 February 2017, with a view to alleviating the current humanitarian crisis in the region;

7. Reaffirms the imperative for a comprehensive approach in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorist group as provided for in its Communique [PSC/AHG/COMM.2(CDLXXXIV)] adopted at its 484^th meeting. In this respect, Council reiterates its conviction that the sustainable solution to the crisis in the LCB countries, requires efforts beyond military action, that encompass development efforts towards addressing the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization, including poverty, illiteracy and massive youth unemployment. Council calls on the international community to extend the necessary financial support to the countries of the region, with a view to assist them in their efforts aimed at mitigating the dire environmental and socio-economic consequences of the shrinking of the Lake Chad on the livelihood of the riparian population;

8. Encourages countries of the region, in their efforts focusing on socio-economic recovery of the communities liberated from the Boko Haram terrorist group, as well as initiatives for the rehabilitation and reinsertion of Boko Haram surrendered combatants, with a view to depriving the terrorist group of support and recruitment grounds. In this respect, Council requests the Chairperson of the commission to dispatch, by December 2017 latest, a multidisciplinary team to assess the needs of the region in terms of post-conflict reconstruction and development support.

9. Further requests the Commission to conduct, during the first half of 2018, an in-depth study on emerging hate ideologies and peace and security and submit the findings to Council for appropriate directions and decisions. Council also agrees to dedicate an open session to a large debate on emerging hate ideologies and peace and security;

10. Reiterates AU's call for a dedicated Summit of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a view for the two Regional Economic Communities to come up with a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for the promotion of peace, security and development in the Lake Chad Basin region;

11. Looks forward to the joint visit to be undertaken in the region by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General, the Chairperson of the Commission, the President of the World Bank and the President of the African Development Bank, as a crucial step for international action in support of efforts deployed by countries of the region for peace, security and socio-economic development;

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12. Expresses its profound gratitude to the governments and peoples of the Lake Chad Basin countries for the warm welcome, hospitality and cooperation that had been extended to the PSC delegation during the field mission. Council also expresses gratitude to the UN for its valuable logistic support to the mission;

13. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to ensure the rapid implementation of the present communique, in particular with regard to issues relating to expediting the AU support to the MNJTF;

14. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.