The government of Cameroon and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have strategized and taken a fresh commitment to thwart all secessionists movements aimed at destabilizing both friendly nations and incursions from Boko Haram terrorists. The commitment was taken at the opening of the 8th session of the Cameroon-Nigeria transborder security committee in Abuja yesterday Wednesday August 24.
Cameroon, Nigeria officials during Cross border security meeting
Cameroon’s high-profile 11-man delegation to the meeting was led by the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji. The MINAT boss was accompanied by the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in Charged of Relations with the Commonwealth, Felix Mbayu, Secretary of State in Charge of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Yves Landry Etouga, Directorate General for External Research, Maxine Eko Eko, Secretary General at the General Delegation for National Security, Senior Superintendent of Police Baya Monique, Director General of Customs, Edwin Fongod NUVAGA, Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation, ANIF and the Governors of Far North, North, Adamawa, North West and South West regions. Addressing his Nigerian counterparts led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama at the opening, Minister Atanga Nji recommitted Cameroon’s desire to reinforce measures to combat all forms of crime threatening the border communities of both countries. Atanga Nji enjoined experts at the session to show proof of patriotism throughout deliberations so as to propose workable solutions for consideration by Presidents Paul Biya and Muhammadu Buhari.
“We have to take into consideration the resurgence of Boko Haram and in swap, we have to evaluate secessionist tendencies in our border regions that negatively impact the internal and external security of our states,” Atanga Nji said. The MINAT boss revealed that: “kidnappings for ransom, training of armed groups along the common borders, illegal trafficking of arms and ammunitions, money laundry” still remains major preoccupations and common threats.
“It is therefore obvious that transborder insecurity is a permanent challenge for our two states,” Atanga Nji added.
On their part, Nigeria's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama and the National Security Adviser, retired army General, Babagana Monguno in separate speeches said concerted efforts are needed to win the battle against growing insecurity threatening peaceful coexistence along the borders. Both officials stated that the government of Nigeria will not tolerate any separatist activities aimed at destabilizing both nations.
“H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari reassures you that Nigeria’s territory will neither be used as haven or staging area by any group of secessionists to destabilize another friendly sovereign country,” declared General Babagana.
He went on and stated that: “…we will work closely together to ensure that any real or perceived challenged or attempt to form any alliances between secessionists groups in Nigeria and Cameroon are decisively dealt with”.
The senior adviser of the Nigerian President added that their government will: “… continue to support the efforts of the Cameroonian authorities by engaging all parties to deescalate security concerns in the North West and South West regions of the country”
Regional, States Governors exchange border security notes
After the opening, participants went into four sub committees to better handle pressing issues adequately. Cameroon’s regional Governors from three Northern regions and the North West and South West regions alongside their counterparts from Nigeria’s North-Eastern and Southern States met in conclave and brainstormed steps to be taken to better security along the common borders.
Their session hinged on Boko Haram terrorists incursions in the Northern regions of both countries and attempts by secessionist groups in both countries to unite in the Southern borders. Other participants at the session reviewed steps on how to empower border communities especially in the domains of trade and infrastructural development.
Diplomatic ties boosted on sidelines of session
On the sidelines of the deliberations, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations in Charged of Relations with the Commonwealth was granted audience by the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs. Minister Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama and Felix Mbayu discussed on relations between Cameroon and Nigeria and other ways through which brotherly and friendly ties could be enhanced at all fronts. Security cooperation was also at the fore with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence in Charged of the National Gendarmerie, Galax Yves Landry Etouga was received by President Buhari’s Chief of Staff. Military cooperation between both states topped their discussions.
Context of session
The session is holding at a time Boko Haram terrorists continue wreaking havoc in the Northern regions of Cameroon and Nigeria with trafficking of sophisticated weapons which further compounds the already complicated security concerns which continue to preoccupy both neighbouring countries. This adds to frantic efforts from separatist movements in both countries to create an alliance which may further threaten state authority and jeopardize social cohesion.
Last April, there was announced strategic military alliance with joint operations and training bases between Cho Ayaba, leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council and Nnandi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group that advocates for the creation of the independent country of Biafra in Nigeria.
Less than a week back, a Nigerian secessionist group is said to have reported attacked a border locality around the oil-rich Bakassi peninsula in Ndian division and carted away the national flag of Cameroon. Ndian SDO, Fowang Lawrence however said the news of the attack was false.
Flashback
President Buhari had recently pledged to support Cameroon and ensure it remains an indivisible country amid secessionist agitations. This was during an audience with Minister Felix Mbayu, a Special Envoy from President Paul Biya. Buhari noted that Nigeria and Cameroon share historical ties and common borders, which according to him, make it imperative for the two countries to look out for each other’s well-being.
The agreement between Biya and Buhari was described as an excellent offensive move to eliminate pockets of secessionist and terrorist movements seeking to sponsor chaos in both friendly and neighbouring countries. The audience granted to the Cameroonian envoy by the Nigerian leader was seemingly a reply to from President Biya to Buhari. The Nigerian leader had on 21 May dispatched the Nigerian Minister Delegate to the Minister of External Relations of Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Unity Palace. Zubairu Dada was bearer of a sealed message to the Cameroonian leader.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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