Buhari Rejects Proposal For A Joint Military Force Against Boko Haram

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected a
proposal for an alternate leadership between
Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroun and Benin, of a
joint military force against Boko Haram.
At a meeting with leaders of the Lake Chad
nations Thursday in Abuja, Mr. Buhari insisted
Nigeria must be the sole leader of the joint
military operation.
He said a proposal that such leadership alternate
amongst the participating nations after every six
months, may ultimately undermine the joint
operations.
The president said his argument should be adopted
since Nigeria remains at the centre of the Boko
Haram crisis, and will provide the bulk of troops
for the operation.
“While I agree that this is a joint operation with
shared responsibilities, I am, however, of the
opinion that military operations that are subjected
to a rapid turnover of command and control
structures, six months duration, as it is being
proposed in the documents before us, do not augur
well for effectiveness and efficiency,” Mr. Buhari
said.
“Such a process will undermine, even if it is not
intended, the military capacity to sustain the push
against the insurgents, who also have the uncanny
ability to adapt and rejig their operational
strategies.
He continued, “I am inclined, on account of the
above, to suggest for Your Excellencies’
consideration that Nigeria retains the position of
the Force Commander of the MNJTF for the period
of the war effort. This command will be to the
effectiveness of military strategy, since Nigeria
will be providing the bulk of the troops and the
main theatre of the war is on Nigerian soil.”
The president’s remarks were disclosed in a press
statement released by his office.
It was not immediately clear whether the
suggestions were adopted by the other leaders.
The Extra Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State
and Government of the Lake Chad Basin
Commission and Benin, was attended by the
president of Chad, Idris Deby; Niger, Issoufou
Mahamadu; Benin, Boni Yayi; and the Defence
Minister of Cameroun, Mebe Ngo’o Edgard Alain.
The coalition considered new measures against Boko
Haram, responsible for thousands of deaths in
Nigeria, and neighbouring countries.
Mr. Buhari thanked the foreign leaders for their
help in the fight against the insurgents.
“Nothing has emphasized our common humanity and
destinies more than the dastardly crimes against
our people by the insurgents, who have maimed and
raped our women and children and held our nations
in a vicious strangle hold,” he said.
“Our campaign against insurgency must therefore,
be directed on all fronts, starting from limiting
their capacity to access funds and weapons. We
must, therefore, strengthen our cross border
patrols and increase our capacity to gather and
share intelligence. In this regard, I urge that all
necessary steps be immediately taken to
reinvigorate the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit
(RIFU).”
He thanked the Ministers of Defence of all the
countries for coming up with a proposal for the
joint military force.
He said Nigeria had promised $100 million for the
take-off of the multinational force, and assured
the funds will be provided.
He said notwithstanding the pledge, funding still
remains a major issue of the campaign.
“I had raised this issue at my meeting with the G7
leaders. While I am encouraged by their support, I
also urge you to garner the support of your
international friends and partners to sustain this
campaign,” he urged the leaders.
“Our campaign against Boko Haram must be seen
within the wider context of the global war against
terror. Terrorism has no frontiers and they must,
because of the great implication for regional and
global peace and security, be defeated.”