Insecurity: Again, EU donates 20 nautical platforms to MNJTF

Barely weeks after it doled out €100m as grant to Nigeria to mitigate insecurity arising from communal clashed between herders and farmers in the North East region, under the COMITAS project, the European Union (EU) has again donated 20 nautical platforms to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in order to boost regional security.

The donation was made via COGINTA, a peace and security non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the region, Friday, during a ceremony held in N’Djamena, the capital Chad.

The nautical platforms are expected to provide the MNJTF with increased mobility and operational capabilities by improving patrols and control of the Lake Chad islands, which have often been used as hideouts by insurgent groups.

A statement signed by the Military Public Information Officer (N’Djamena), Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, confirming the EU gesture, quoted the Force Commander of MNJTF, Major General Ibrahim Sallau Ali, as stating that the EU support highlighted the continued global commitment towards countering insurgency and fostering sustainable peace across the region.

General Ali, while receiving the platforms, described the support as a collective desire for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Lake Chad Basin region, even as he acknowledged further assistance from COGINTA and the EU in building the capacity of potential operators of the platform in enhancing navigation skills and maintenance.

The support from the EU through COGINTA demonstrates the international community’s commitment to the collective effort of bringing peace and stability to the region.

The Force Commander expressed optimism that the delivery of these platforms will significantly enhance the MNJTF’s ability to combat terrorism and secure the region.

It would be recalled that, penultimate week, Mr. Ruben Alba Aguilera, Acting Head of Cooperation and Head of Section—Democracy Governance and Migration, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, had disclosed that the EU is supporting Nigeria with 100million Euros as a grant in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.

Aguilera, who stated this on Thursday, August 3, at the COMITAS Phase 2 Launch and First Project Steering Committee meeting in Abuja, said the Union is investing a total of €500million in other sectors in Nigeria.

He said the EU is partnering with Federal Government, states and local government areas to mitigate conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities particularly in Taraba and Adamawa states.

According to him, the EU has been piloting the project, having chosen Adamawa and Taraba states, adding that the EU cannot do it alone, as the assistance of many critical stakeholders was required to achieve success.

He added that the EU is not only involved in Adamawa and Taraba States, but also in various states in the North, South East and Niger Delta regions as well as the middle belt region in the fight against insecurity.

He assured that the EU would take a comprehensive approach to address insecurity challenges in the country.

Commenting on the COMITAS Phase 2 Project launch, he revealed that the EU would expend 2million euros on the second phase of the project in the two states of Adamawa and Taraba.

Meanwhile, in his remarks, at Friday’s donation of nautical platforms to MNJTF, the representative of the EU Ambassador to Chad, Thierry Marotte, stated that the importance the EU places on peace, security, and development necessitates its support for MNJTF.

He added that the EU has been providing various support to the mission to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Lake Chad Basin Region.

Meanwhile, some of the objectives of the COMITAS Project include; To strengthen traditional conflict resolution mechanisms; improve trust in authorities; enhance collaboration in managing natural resources and improve intra and inter-communal perceptions.

The IOM, together with partners such as Search for Common Ground (SFCG), and Mercy Corps has been contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria through the COMITAS project.

The project has been implemented in five Local Government Areas of Adamawa State including Demsa, Girei, Numan, Lamurde, and Mayo Belwa, through a multidimensional and integrated approach.

The COMITAS Phase II Project Steering Meeting focused on providing project updates, key achievements, key lessons learnt, brainstorming on means to strengthen traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, identifying early warning signals and trends, among others.