AU Peace and Security Council undertakes field mission

The African Union Peace and Security Council will be undertaking a field mission to the Countries of the Lake Chad Basin including Nigeria from 30 July – 1st August, 2017.

The exercise is sequel to proposal made by Nigeria, being the Chair of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the month of July 2017.

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

It is expected that, at the end of the field visit to the Lake Chad Basin Region, the AU PSC would have achieved, among others, the following:

Acquisition of comprehensive knowledge regarding the current security and humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin Region and the best way of addressing it; a better understanding of the current challenges being faced by the MNJTF and the necessary measures required to effectively address those challenges; ascertaining the challenges faced by the Governments of the region in supporting the population affected by Boko Haram activities.

Lessons learned on the substantial progress made in countering terrorism and violent extremism by the MNJTF as a regional defence initiative.

Strategies to effectively improve coordination between the MNJTF, AU and Development partners in supporting the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The mission, made up of 15 Members of the PSC and AUC Staff, will be led by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Permanent Representative of the federal republic of Nigeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of July 2017.