GEF's Outlook

Nigeria, Cameroun to fight 'terrorism', cross-border crimes

Culled from The Guardian Nigeria

Written by Madu Onuorah, Bridget Chiedu Onochie (Abuja) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri)

 

The Federal Government (of Nigeria) is vigorously pursuing the security component of its new foreign policy, which focuses on integrating neighbouring countries into the nation’s crusade against terrorism and other cross-border crimes.

A few days after he assumed office, Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, had on July 11, 2011, said Nigeria would liaise with its neighbours to check the excesses of terror groups such as the Boko Haram sect, which the country’s security chiefs said enjoy the backing of international forces.

From the talks between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Camerounian Deputy Prime Minister, Alhaji Amadou Ali, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, it was instructive that the government had gone ahead with its plan to work with the country to address the current security challenges.

Jonathan told his guest that it was critical for the two countries to work together to check the activities of criminals along the borders, adding that it would be necessary to involve other countries, which share the same borders, since “criminals don’t respect borders.”

The President said Nigeria and Cameroun were one people, separated by artificial boundaries, stressing that his administration is committed to protecting the human rights of people on both sides of the border, as well as maintaining fraternal relations with Cameroun.

Jonathan said Nigeria would set up a committee to consider the draft agreement reached at the 23rd Session of the Cameroun-Nigeria Mixed Commission for ratification.

He told Ali, who brought a special message from President Paul Biya that once the panel finishes its work the document will be signed by the two leaders either in Cameroun or Nigeria.

Part of the agreement includes the exploitation of hydrocarbons along the border of the two nations.

Earlier, Ali had delivered a special message and a draft of the agreement reached by the Mixed Commission to Jonathan. He said his country was in active contact with relevant Nigerian authorities, especially on security issues, and thanked the President for receiving him.

At the maiden stakeholders’ summit on security organised by the Presidential Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civil Responsibility in Abuja, Jonathan reiterated his administration’s commitment to job creation for Nigerians as part of efforts to curtail the country’s security challenges.

Represented at the event by the Minister of Interior, Abba Patrick Moro, the President urged Nigerians to be vigilant and to report any suspected movements to the security agents.

As one of the first major gatherings on the issue since his inauguration on May 29, Jonathan hoped the forum would emerge with strategies for tackling the lingering problem.

The panel’s Chairman, Dr. Abdulateef Adegbite, who recalled the mandate of the committee, said it had developed a roadmap and action plan to guide it in the effective discharge of its responsibilities.

He said the two-day event would serve to raise awareness on the need for national security and civic responsibilities for attaining the transformation agenda as well as creating the enabling environment to develop security education and civic duties at all school levels.

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Biya holds Cameroon National Security Council Meeting - Why?

The men who are supposed to ensure that Cameroon is safe and secure met at the behest of President Paul Biya, in a session of the country's national security council on Thursday.

The Council had never met since it was created in January 2009. Why did Biya choose to convene the members now? 

"...Paul BIYA told members of the National Security Council to be vigilant and foresighted so that we can better face new security risks such as the taking of hostages, piracy and terrorist attacks," a statement on the website of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon said. 

There have been several "pirate attacks" on the west-coast of Cameroon in recent years. Some have led to the capture and killing of civilians, local authorities, soldiers and expatriates. Gangs have stormed the coastal towns of Limbe and Douala and raided banks. In March, assailants stormed a bank in the Bonaberi neighbourhood in the country's economic capital using explosives and heavy weapons.

Security analysts have blamed poor coordination and unprofessionalism of the West-Central African nation's several security and intelligience services for the inability to prevent such acts.

"I expect the Council to ensure a better coordination of the services (involved in national security) which have often worked separately," Biya said at the meeting.

He also insisted on collaboration between services charged with internal security and those working on external security.

Could recent events - involving the Boko Haram group - in neighbouring Nigeria have jolted the men in Yaounde out of their comfort zone?