Regional stability tops Lake Chad governors’ resolutions in Maiduguri
Regional stability tops Lake Chad governors’ resolutions in Maiduguri
Regional stability, peace and sustainable development on Friday topped the resolutions adopted at the concluded 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF) meeting in Maiduguri.

A cross-section of the Lake Chad Basin Governors at the 5th edition of the LCBGF meeting in Maiduguri from Jan. 29 to 31, 2025.
The resolutions were adopted in a communique signed by Brig.-Gen. Mahamadou Lamme, the Chairman, Draft Communique Committee, and the Governor of Diffa Province in the Republic of Niger in Maiduguri.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the week-long LCBGF’s meeting which had 1,000 delegates in attendance brought together governors from the Republics of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
“The LCB Governors’ Forum recognised and commended the substantial achievements made under the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience of the Areas-affected by Boko Haram insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS SRR) which have significantly contributed to stabilisation, peace, and sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin region.
“In the light of the significant progress made in the implementation of the RS SRR, the LCB Governors’ Forum commended the governments of the Lake Chad Basin countries, regional institutions, and international partners for their unwavering commitment to stabilisation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
“The Forum welcomed the efforts of the LCBC and its partners in facilitating the technical validation of the adjusted RS SRR in 2024 and encourages the LCBC Council of Ministers and the AU Peace and Security Council to endorse the revised strategy.
“The Forum also reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, international financial institutions, and regional development banks to mobilise financing for the RS SRR.
“The LCBC Governors also commended the Governors of the eight most affected territories of the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria for their steadfast political leadership, unwavering commitment, and strong support for the effective implementation of the RS SRR in their respective territories.
“The forum also acknowledged the substantial progress achieved in advancing stabilisation, peace, and sustainable development across the LCB region since the inaugural meeting of the Forum in May 2018 in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
“The forum commends the significant contributions and achievements of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and the troop-contributing countries of the LCBC—Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Benin—in combating non-state armed groups, notably Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“These efforts have greatly reduced the threat posed by these terrorist groups, enhanced civilian protection, and compelled many members of these groups to surrender.
“The forum further emphasised its commitment to redouble efforts and further strengthen the MNJTF and other efforts to completely eliminate the continued threat posed by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other terrorist groups in the region,” the communique stated.
It recognised the AU’s unwavering commitment to the MNJTF, as reflected in the communiqué of the 97th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, and commended the role of national and sub-national governments, regional and sub-regional institutions, and partners in addressing the challenges posed by exits from areas controlled by terrorist groups.
The communique commended the technical validation of the Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration Policy (CBRR) and encouraged its endorsement at the next LCBC Council of Ministers meeting.
It, however, called on the member states to implement the policy effectively.
The communique also endorsed the recommendation of the 5th Steering Committee of the LCBC to develop a Regional Policy on Transitional Justice for the Lake Chad Basin region.
It underscored the critical need for the rehabilitation and reintegration of former associates of Boko Haram and ISWAP who have left these groups, while calling on LCB states, institutions, and partners to provide the necessary human and material resources to address this challenge effectively.
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The communique also acknowledged the progress made in addressing the humanitarian situation in the region, but noted with concern that the effects of by climate change, illiteracy, youth unemployment, severe economic challenges, and frequent natural disasters still persist in the region.
It stressed the disproportionate impact of the security crisis on vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and reaffirmed the need to protect and assist all affected civilians in compliance with humanitarian principles and international law.
It noted with concern the suspension of donor support for Niger’s National Window of the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF), which could negatively impact progress across the region, and called for a concerted effort to urgently address this challenge.
The communique welcomed the establishment of the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF) as vital mechanisms to support and coordinate stabilisation, recovery, and resilience initiatives across the region.
It also reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to advancing stabilisation, recovery, and resilience in the region while in this regard, the Forum committed itself to ensure member states strengthen strategic support to, and operational capacity of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and invest in transborder security.
The communique resolved to ensure member states effectively occupy the Lake Chad Islands as a means of strengthening transboundary security, with a focus on securing and controlling the waterways as well as ensure that remnant of all Non-State Armed Groups are completely neutralised in all the member states.
It pledged to intensify efforts to combat illicit trade of arms, and illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse, especially among youth and scale up climate resilient initiatives and environmental protection efforts to support the rehabilitation of the Lake Chad Basin ecosystems and biodiversity.
The communique committed itself to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, especially in facilitating reconciliation and reintegration processes as well as strengthen women and youth engagement in stabilisation, recovery, and resilience initiatives, ensuring their needs and priorities are effectively addressed.
It also agreed to enhance the role of civil society and traditional authorities in designing, implementing, and monitoring regional stabilisation, recovery, and resilience efforts as well work with the LCBC on advocacy and fundraising with partners and donors towards continuation of stabilisation activities in Niger.
The communique promised to facilitate the establishment of “Free trade Zones” in the Lake Chad region, as a means of promoting cross-border trade and economic connectivity while Identifying and investing in the construction and rehabilitation of cross-border roads as a means of promoting transboundary trade and strengthening security.
It announced its readiness to update and facilitate the implementation of the Territorial Action Plans (TAPs) to align with the adjusted RS SRR and strengthen resource mobilisation efforts through the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF), and other regional funding initiatives to drive impactful and sustained progress.
The communique also thanked President Bola Tinubu, the host, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe and the people of Nigeria for their hospitality.
It expressed appreciation to the Governor of Hadjer-Lamis, Ildjima Abdraman of the Republic of Chad for her leadership and commitment in steering the forum between 2023 and 2024.
The communique commended the acceptance of the Chairmanship of the LCBGF by its new Chairman, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.