1. I.                    INTRODUCTION

 

1. At its 469 ^th meeting held November 25, 2014, the Board reviewed the regional efforts to fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram, and agreed to action by the Commission to support the Member States to the Commission of the Basin Lake Chad (LCBC) and Benin. The Council asked the Commission to submit a report on the monitoring of this release, to enable it to take the necessary decisions. During their 5 ^th ministerial meeting in Niamey, Niger, 20 January 2015, Member States of the LCBC and Benin me, among others, requested to submit to the Council a report on regional and international efforts in As part of the fight against Boko Haram, including conclusions of their meeting to allow the Council to authorize the deployment of the Joint Multinational Force (FMM) and the mandate.

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to the communiqué of the Council of 25 November 2014 and the Conclusions of the ministerial meeting in Niamey. It provides an overview of developments since the last meeting of the Council on this issue, as well as that of regional and international efforts there. In conclusion, the report makes comments on the way forward.

 

1. I.                    DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD

 

1. During the period under review, the terrorist group Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks targeting civilians, security forces, churches, mosques and public infrastructure, including schools. In early January 2015, Boko Haram has taken hold in Baga, in the state of Borno, a military base that served as headquarters to the FMM. The group then forced thousands of people to leave the area, burned and destroyed houses and other property, and committed mass killings. It is also worth mentioning suicide bombings on 10 and 11 January 2015, Maiduguri in Borno State, and Potiskum in Yobe state, with the involvement of a child restraint by Boko Haram to serve kamikaze.

 

1. Since 2013, the terrorist group Boko Haram has stepped up attacks against villages, job security and schools, while he was abducting civilians, foreign tourists and missionaries in the border regions of Cameroon. Recently, there has been an increase in attacks in the region of Lake Chad Basin, along Nigeria's borders with Chad and Cameroon, and in the northern provinces of Cameroon.

 

1. At its 469 ^th meeting, the Council reiterated its strong condemnation of the heinous terrorist attacks by Boko Haram, and its solidarity with Nigeria and other countries in the region. The Council emphasized that terrorist activities of Boko Haram poses a serious threat not only for Nigeria but also for the region and the continent as a whole, adding that this situation calls for collective African response. In response to the changing situation on the ground, I published on January 12, 2015, a statement in which I strongly condemned the despicable attacks by Boko Haram in Baga and Potiskum and reiterated the solidarity of the AU with the Government and people of Nigeria. In another press release dated January 20, 2015, I, once again condemned the terrorist attacks of Boko Haram and expressed continued solidarity with the people of Africa and affected countries.

 

1. In the meantime, on 12 January 2015 the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a press release in which it strongly condemned the heinous acts of Boko Haram total disregard of this group for human rights and unjustified acts of destruction, as illustrated by the attack, Baga. He reiterated the commitment of ECOWAS to work with the Government of Nigeria, the Member States and other stakeholders to put an end to these incessant attacks, which continue to seriously threaten the peace, security and stability in the region . He welcomed the efforts of the AU, the LCBC and others in this regard. January 17, 2015, the President of the ECOWAS Commission wrote to transmit a request of the President of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, requesting the inclusion in the agenda of the next AU Summit, a point on the threat posed by Boko Haram. In response, the Commissioner for Peace and Security informed that appropriate consultations would be undertaken for the issue of Boko Haram gets the attention it deserves in the deliberations on the report of the Peace Council and Security on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa.

 

1. The United Nations Security Council has also spoken about the situation. In a presidential statement adopted on 19 January 2015, this body has condemned in the strongest terms the recent escalation in attacks by Boko Haram, and the intensification of attacks in the Lake Chad Basin region and Northern Cameroon. The Security Council expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and to the peoples and Governments of other affected countries. The Security Council demanded that Boko Haram cease immediately and unequivocally all hostilities and violations of human rights and international law, and demobilize and disarm. The Security Council also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those still kidnapped in captivity, including 276 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in Borno State in April 2014. The Security Council acknowledged that some of these acts may amount to crimes against humanity, and stressed that the perpetrators must be held accountable. Previously, 22 May 2014, the UN Security Council Committee on sanctions against Al-Qaeda had approved the inclusion of Boko Haram on its list of persons and entities subject to targeted financial sanctions.

 

1. January 20, 2015, at the Ministerial meeting in Niamey Member States of the LCBC and Benin, participants noted that since its emergence, the Boko Haram group was characterized by violent attacks against civilians, executions summary, looting and destruction, removal and repeated attacks against the defense and security forces of the countries of the region. The participants strongly condemned the attack against Baga, which resulted in a large-scale massacre as a crime against humanity. They noted with concern the significant strengthening of the operational capacity of Boko Haram.

 

1. As pointed out by the ministerial meeting in Niamey, attacks and other abuses perpetrated by Boko Haram caused major population movements within Nigeria. They have also led to significant population flows from the United Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, Nigeria to Niger, Chad and Cameroon. This situation has resulted in considerable pressure on the resources available in the host countries, raising concerns about possible tensions between refugees and host communities. According to Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), nearly 868,235 people were affected by the terrorist attacks taking place in the North East of the country. NEMA is currently managing 20 IDP camps. The precarious security situation prevents the delivery of aid to many people in need. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that the number of refugees and displaced persons exceeds one million.

 

1. In its presidential statement mentioned above, the Security Council expressed its concern at the scale of the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the activities of Boko Haram. In this regard, the Security Council welcomed the support provided to refugees by the governments of host countries, and called on the international community to provide support in areas requiring urgent attention.

 

1. II.                  REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS

 

1. The Council will recall that, at its summit meeting on terrorism and violent extremism, held in Nairobi, September 2, 2014, the issue of Boko Haram has long been debated. More specifically, the Council urged countries in the region to take the necessary steps to operationalize the mechanisms agreed by them, in order to more effectively address the threat posed by Boko Haram. Subsequently, many initiatives have been taken by the countries of the region in the context of monitoring the Paris summit conclusions of 17 May 2014, which brought together the Heads of State and Government of Benin, Chad , Cameroon, France, Niger, Nigeria and other stakeholders, and the results of the ministerial meetings held in London and Washington, June 12 and August 5, 2014. It is important to Note that the Paris Summit agreed to a number of measures to strengthen regional cooperation and international action against the terrorist group Boko Haram. This includes coordination of border patrols, the establishment of a regional intelligence fusion unit (Rifu), the adoption of sanctions against Boko Haram group and the Ansaru key management and the provision of support to marginalized regions and their vulnerable populations. The London meeting reaffirmed the commitments made at the Paris Summit and welcomed the progress made since then, in particular the signing in Yaoundé, June 9, 2014, the Memorandum of Understanding on Rifu. Countries in the region have committed to contribute a battalion each to the FMM, while partners have promised to facilitate the rapid establishment of Rifu and provide training to Nigerian and regional forces engaged in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups. The meeting recognized that in addition to law enforcement and cooperation in military and intelligence, the restoration of security and stability also requires a comprehensive approach based on respect for human rights, fight against poverty and job creation, strengthening the rule of law, improving education and protecting the rights of women and girls.
2. The Council will recall also that on 3 September 2014, the countries of the region held their 3 ^rd Ministerial Meeting in Abuja. The meeting welcomed the progress made ??in the operationalization of Rifu, efforts of the Nigerian Government for the establishment of a fund to alleviate the suffering of victims of the Boko Haram insurgency and measures to strengthen the FMM. The meeting also stressed the need to fight effectively against the sources of funding and supply of arms of Boko Haram. At their Extraordinary Summit held in Niamey on 7 October 2014, the Heads of State and Government of the member countries of the LCBC and Benin have evaluated the security situation and discussed a common strategy against the terrorist group Boko Haram. The Summit expressed its determination to strengthen the operational capacity and intelligence in the region, as well as coordination of the FMM. He decided to finalize the deployment of troops promised by the Member States of the LCBC and Benin, 1 ^st November 2014 and the establishment of the Headquarters FMM later than November 20, 2014. The 4 ^th Ministerial meeting of Member States of the LCBC and Benin held in Abuja on 13 October 2014, is committed to implement the decisions of Niamey Summit on the implementation of the Headquarters FMM and deployment , within their national borders, contingents pledged by countries in the region. The meeting agreed on a draft resolution to be forwarded to the AU and the UN Security Council to enable the latter authority to authorize the operationalization of the FMM, the provision of the required international support and the establishment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a Trust Fund for the Force. In a letter dated 17 October 2014 addressed to the Commissioner for Peace and Security, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger, who chairs the LCBC has formally transmitted to the AU, to follow the Conclusions of the meeting Ministerial.

 

1. It is in this context that the Council, at its meeting of 25 November 2014, expressed its full support for the creation and deployment of MMF as appropriate framework to effectively neutralize the terrorist group Boko Haram. The Council asked the Commission to undertake urgent consultations with the LCBC member states and Benin and to provide the necessary expertise to identify and agree on practical measures that could facilitate the rapid establishment of international support needed, as requested by the Ministerial meeting of 13 October 2014, namely: (i) the adoption by the United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the Member States of the LCBC and Benin to deploy the FMM for an initial period of 12 months; (Ii) the establishment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a trust fund to ensure the continuity of the FMM; and (iii) the mobilization of financial support and international logistics required. In the follow-up to these decisions, the Commissioner for Peace and Security wrote on 1 ^st December 2014, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Niger to formally transmit the statement of the Council to the Member States of the LCBC and Benin , reiterate the support of the AU to MMF and overall efforts of countries in the region, and propose, as the way forward, holding a meeting of experts to identify concrete measures to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the ministerial meeting in Abuja on 13 October 2014.

 

1. January 14, 2015, the Government of Chad is committed to actively support efforts against Boko Haram. Thereafter, the Chadian National Assembly authorized the armed forces and Chadian security to help Cameroonian soldiers in the fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram. Since Chadian soldiers have been deployed in northern Cameroon. In its presidential statement of 19 January 2015, the United Nations Security Council welcomed the vote of the Chadian National Assembly. The Security Council also took note of the decision of the Member States of the LCBC and Benin to operationalize the FMM, and urged countries in the region to continue planning for sustainable operational, viable and effective MMF . The Security Council welcomed the assistance already provided to States in the region, and encouraged bilateral and multilateral partners to increase their support. My press release of January 20, 2015, I welcomed the decision by Chad.

 

1. During their 5 ^th Ministerial Meeting, the countries of the region have agreed on a set of practical measures in terms of security, including the establishment of the headquarters of the FMM in N'Djamena and a secure communications network for the security forces operating in the Lake Chad Basin and around this area and operationalization in the shortest possible time, the cell coordination and liaison should be established in N'Djamena. Moreover, and as stated above, the meeting was asked to submit a report on regional and international efforts against Boko Haram, to enable the Council to authorize the deployment of the FMM. The meeting also asked the Commission to organize, in early February 2015, in cooperation with stakeholders, a meeting of experts to finalize the concept of operations of the FMM. At the time of finalizing this report, the Commission was taking the necessary steps to organize the meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, from 5 to 7 February 2015. Other measures adopted include the organization of a donor conference to mobilize resources for the FMM, an appeal to international partners to provide support to the implementation of the strategy of the LCBC against Boko Haram, strengthening of humanitarian assistance to affected populations, and a request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to accelerate the ongoing process of crimes against humanity perpetrated by Boko Haram.

 

1. Furthermore, my Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, accompanied by the Permanent Representative of Niger to the AU and a Judge of the African Court on Human Rights and Peoples, paid a visit Solidarity in Abuja, from 7 to 12 December 2014. More specifically, the purpose of the visit was to echo the concerns of women in Nigeria and civil society organizations and to support them in their efforts to put an end the plight of girls abducted to Chibok in April 2014, and other forms of gender-based violence; to express the solidarity of the AU with the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to neutralize the terrorist group Boko Haram; and strengthen advocacy for the rights of women and children, including through the effective implementation of Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights of Women. The delegation met with a number of organizations of civil society and government officials, as well as the ECOWAS Commission.

 

1. III.                DEPLOYMENT OF THE AUTHORIZATION FMM

 

1. As indicated above, the Niamey ministerial meeting of 20 January 2015 asked the Council to authorize the deployment of the FMM and mandate the Force. Such a decision by the Council is a necessary first step in efforts to secure the adoption by the United Nations Security Council resolution that would authorize the Member States of the LCBC and Benin to deploy MMF and the establishment of appropriate support mechanisms, including a Trust Fund. The Council will recall that this is the same process that was followed in the case of past and current operations in support of the AU Peace undertaken with the consent and assistance of the UN, namely the International Mission support to Mali in African leadership (MISMA) the MISCA (MISCA) and AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations has, with regard to this last operation approved not only the creation of a trust fund, but also authorized the establishment of a support package financed by contributions lap.

 

1. Moreover, it will be necessary to develop a concept of operations that would define the strategic objectives of the FMM and would detail all relevant aspects of the proposed transaction, including command and control, the concept of support, rules commitment and guidelines on the protection of civilians, which must integrate due diligence Policy UN on human rights, this consideration is an essential element to obtain UN support for a non-UN operation. The Commission has already initiated the necessary steps for the organization in Yaoundé from 5 to 7 February 2015, the meeting of experts to develop the concept of operation and other related documents.

 

1. While this process is underway, it is recommended that support for efforts by the Member States of the LCBC and Benin, the Council authorized the deployment of the FMM for an initial period of twelve months, renewable at the request of States Member of the LCBC and Benin. In accordance with the general objective set by the countries of the region during their various meetings and summarized above, it is proposed that the FMM be mandated in its area of ??operation as will be defined in the concept operation, for:

 

(I) create a safe and secure environment in areas affected by the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in order to significantly reduce violence against civilians and other abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence, as international law, including international humanitarian law and due diligence Policy UN on human right;

 

(Ii) facilitate the implementation by Member States of the LCBC and Benin, overall stabilization programs in the affected areas, including the full restoration of the authority of the state and the return of displaced and refugees; and

 

(Iii) facilitate, within its capabilities, humanitarian operations and the delivery of aid to affected populations.

 

1. As part of the mandate set out above and to the interior of the area of ??operation, the quotas of the FMM, deployed on their respective national territories, could perform many tasks. They would show up including the following:

 

(I) to undertake military operations to prevent the expansion of Boko Haram activities and other terrorist groups, and to eliminate them;

 

 

 

(Ii) facilitate the operational coordination between the countries involved in the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, including on the basis of information collected by the Member States of the LCBC and Benin and / or made available by external partners;

 

(Iii) encourage and facilitate the conduct of concurrent patrols / contact / joint and other types of border operations in the affected countries;

 

(Iv) prevent the transfer of arms and ammunition and other types of support to Boko Haram and other terrorist groups;

 

(V) ensure, within its capabilities, to protect civilians under imminent threat of displaced persons and refugee camps, humanitarian workers and other civilian personnel;

 

(Vi) actively seek and release all abductees, including girls abducted to Chibok in April 2014;

 

(Vii) undertake effective psychological operations to encourage defections from Boko Haram and other terrorist groups;

 

(Viii) support, where appropriate, the initial phase of implementation of strategies disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of fighters disengaged in their communities;

 

(Ix) contribute to the strengthening and institutionalization of civil-military coordination, including the provision, on request, escort humanitarian convoys;

 

(X) to support regional efforts to arrest and bring to justice all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity; and

 

(Xi) to ensure the protection of personnel, facilities and equipment of the FMM.

 

1. As noted above, the countries of the region each contribute a battalion to be part of the FMM. However, given the deteriorating situation on the ground, the possibility of enhancing the size of the FMM has to be left open to allow the Member States of the LCBC and Benin to have the flexibility to adapt their operational response to the changing situation on the ground. Therefore, it is recommended that countries in the region are allowed to increase the size of the FMM to 7500 personnel.

 

1. The expert meeting in Yaounde will work on the details required to enable the FMM to operate effectively under the direction and control of the Member States of the LCBC and Benin. These details will include arrangements in terms of command and control and coordination mechanisms with national institutions and with the AU and other stakeholders, international, whose role is primarily to facilitate the mobilization the benefit of the Member States of the LCBC and Benin, financial, logistical and necessary policy. As instructed by the ministerial meeting in Niamey, the concept of operation must be flexible to facilitate, as part of the FMM, making diligent provision of support in favor of bilateral and trilateral arrangements, such as that between Chad and Cameroon.

 

1. IV.                COMMENTS

 

1. I am deeply concerned about the situation caused by the terrorist activities of Boko Haram, including the recent escalation of violence observed in the field. Ongoing attacks in northern Nigeria and those growing in the Lake Chad Basin, along the borders with Chad and Cameroon, as well as in the provinces north of the country, could destabilize the entire region, with serious security consequences and humanitarian. As part of the African agenda in the fight against terrorism, no effort should be spared to neutralize this group.

 

1. Odious abuses by Boko Haram, the unspeakable cruelty of this group, its total disregard for human life and acts of wanton destruction he commits are unmatched. Removal of girls Chibok the attack which took place in Baga and the use of children forced to serve as suicide bombers, as was the case in Potiskum, massacres of civilians, hostage-taking, the sexual slavery and other horrific acts constitute so many inspiring examples.

 

1. I reiterate my strong condemnation of the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram and expresses, once again, the full solidarity of the AU with the people and Government of Nigeria, as well as the peoples and Governments of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. The people of the region have paid a heavy price for the scourge of terrorism. It is imperative to put an end to their nightmare emergency.

 

1. I congratulate the countries of the region for their efforts. I welcome the steps taken to make the FMM fully operational and facilitate expeditious exchange of information. As the Council stressed, MMF is an adequate framework to effectively neutralize Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in the region. Consequently, the role of the AU and the rest of the international community to assist Member States of the LCBC and Benin to achieve full operational capability for the FMM and other related structures they have created. There is room for either duplication or for launching parallel initiatives. It is in this spirit that the proposals contained in paragraphs 19 to 22 of this report have been made. I recommend to the Board for approval.

 

1. I pay tribute to Chad for having responded positively to the request of Cameroon assistance through the deployment of troops in the northern part of Cameroon. This is a clear manifestation of solidarity and an additional illustration of Chad's ongoing commitment to contribute to the promotion of peace and security on the continent, as evidenced by its participation in the liberation of northern Mali.

 

1. As repeatedly emphasized by the Council, the activities of the terrorist group Boko Haram is a serious threat not only for Nigeria and the region, but also for the whole continent. Therefore, it is essential that the continent provides all necessary support to Member States of the LCBC and Benin, in accordance with the principles of African solidarity and indivisibility of peace and security on the continent, as articulated in relevant AU instruments, including the Common African Defence and Security Policy and Non-aggression pact and defense.

 

1. I call on the United Nations Security Council to adopt, in due course, a resolution authorizing the deployment of the FMM and requesting the Secretary-General to establish a Trust Fund, as requested by the Ministerial meeting in Abuja 13 October 2014. I welcome the support already provided to countries in the region through bilateral and multilateral partners. I urge them to continue and strengthen their support, especially in the areas of logistics, finance, equipment and intelligence. I call on other members of the international community to join the fight against the scourge of terrorism in the region.

 

1. It's not overemphasize the urgency of providing humanitarian assistance to affected populations and countries hosting Nigerian refugees. I call humanitarian organizations and the international community as a whole to continue the action taken. Beyond security and military operations, the need has no need to be highlighted, and the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance, national, regional and international efforts should also focus on improving the means subsistence and education, job creation, and the protection of human rights, including women and girls, to fight against alienation and marginalization, which create conditions favorable to the emergence of violent extremism and attempts to legitimize the use of armed violence, including terrorism.

COMMENTS