Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to working with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, despite their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
Musa gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Sahelian Think Tank, known as ‘Alliance De Sahel,’ comprising representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
The delegation, led by the coordinator of the Fusion Centre for Dialogue and Peace Processes, Aliyu Gebi, was in Nigeria to study the country’s non-kinetic approach to tackling terrorism and the success of Operation Safe Corridor.
Gen. Musa emphasised the need for Nigeria and the Sahelian countries to collaborate in addressing terrorism, stressing that developments in the Sahel have direct implications for Nigeria and vice versa.
According to him, the militaries of the region are working together to achieve peace, and he revealed his intention to visit Mali and Burkina Faso.
“This meeting has come at a very good time, especially now that so many things are happening in Africa. It highlights our unity of purpose.
“Your presence here from the Sahelian countries shows that we remain united, despite the challenges.
“And for all Africans, we must unite. The enemies we are dealing with do not mean well for us, particularly in the Sahelian region,” he said.
In response, the leader of the delegation reiterated that the region would be safer and stronger by working together.
Gebi stated that events in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso would inevitably have an impact on Nigeria.
He commended the Nigerian military for its success in combating insurgents but stressed the need to harmonise strategies to secure lasting peace.
Also speaking, the Head of Delegation of the Alliance of Sahel States, Gen. Aime Sampore, noted that a stable and peaceful Sahel would directly contribute to a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
Sampore added that a stable and prosperous Nigeria would, in turn, positively impact not just the Sahel but the entire African continent.
