Source: African Union Peace and Security Department |

AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Meets With Senior Military Leadership of MNJTF

The delegation was composed of the Force Commander for MNJTF, Deputy Force Commander, the Chief of Staff and Head AU Liaison Office in Chad

The Commissioner also noted the increasing number of Boko Haram terrorists surrendering to MNJTF forces

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 11, 2016/APO/ --

The Commissioner for Peace and Security held a meeting with Senior Military Leadership of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) fighting the Boko Haram terrorist group to discuss the security situation in the MNJTF Area of Responsibility and other issues relating to enhancing the efficiency of MNJTF Operations. The delegation was composed of the Force Commander for MNJTF, Deputy Force Commander, the Chief of Staff and Head AU Liaison Office in Chad.

The Commissioner commended MNJTF efforts aimed at eliminating the terrorist group and bringing back the situation in the region to normalcy. The Commissioner also noted the increasing number of Boko Haram terrorists surrendering to MNJTF forces, with particular reference to the reporting of 325 fighters with their families to the MNJTF on 8 November 2016 in Chad. It was observed that the situation calls for specialised organisations to handle the group in order to prevent them from re-joining the terrorist group. It was further noted that the humanitarian situation in the MNJTF Area of Responsibility is worsening and this calls for immediate intervention.

The Commissioner for Peace and Security reiterated the need for the International community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the populace in the MNJTF Area of Responsibility, as well as the Commission’s continued support to MNJTF in fighting Boko Haram.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Peace and Security Department.