Boko Haram: President Jonathan Holds Closed Door Meeting With Chadian President

 

 

Concerning the Islamic terrorist insurgencies plaguing the North-East of Nigeria, yesterday, President Jonathan paid a one-day visit to the Chadian President, Idriss Deby to hold talks on security and economic cooperation.

 

Speaking to journalists at the presidential palace, N’Djamena, President Jonathan stressed the need for Nigeria and its neigbhouring countries to cooperate in fighting the war against terrorism and insurgencies. He said Boko Haram has a lot of influence and support from countries outside Africa and it is imperatice for African countries to work together to ensure the securities of its residents. He said, "If you look at the economies of Nigeria and Chad, both are linked. The Boko Haram people don’t ask permission to move from Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria.

 

“If the countries do not cooperate, we will not find it easy to win the war, because when the heat is strong in one country, the criminals and terrorists will go to another one and hide. So we must work together and we are discussing along that line.”

 

 

Mr. Jonathan recalled that his visit to Chad was the second in the last one month, noting that it underscored the importance of building a “robust relationship” between both countries to improve trade, economic and security ties. He said discussions between both countries on cooperation in the ICT sector were ongoing and expressed optimism that more proficient use of modern technology will help greatly to address economic and security challenges in the region.

 

The Presidency released a statement intimating reporters of the meeting. However, there was no mention of today's Boko Haram suicide bombing, neither was it mentioned that President Deby's political associate, Mahamat Bichara Gnoti, was accused yesterday of trying to smuggle in weapons for Boko Haram militants at the Chadian-Sudan border with 19 SAM2 missiles he purchased from the Sudanese army meant for the Boko Haram terrorist network in northeastern Nigeria.

 

Here is the full statement:

 

President Goodluck  Ebele  Jonathan, Monday in N'Djamena reiterated the need for Nigeria and her neighbours to intensify joint actions and cooperation  to win the war against  terrorism and insurgency. 

Speaking  to reporters at the Presidential Palace in N'Djamena  after a closed-door meeting with his Chadian counterpart,   President Idris Deby Itno, President Jonathan said that their talks focused mainly on security and economic cooperation.

The President told reporters that Boko Haram had a lot of external influence from outside Africa and it had become even more imperative for all countries in the region to work together to overcome terrorism and other criminal activities across their borders.

"If you look at the economies of Nigeria and Chad both are linked. The Boko haram people don't take permission to move from Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Nigeria.

"If the countries do not cooperate,   we will not find it easy to win the war, because when the heat is strong in one country, the criminals and terrorists will go to  another one and hide.

"So we must work together and we are discussing along that line,'' President Jonathan told reporters.

President Jonathan recalled that his visit to Chad was the second in the last one month, noting that it underscored  the importance of building a “robust relationship” between both countries to improve trade, economic and security  ties. 

He said that discussions between both countries on cooperation in the ICT sector were ongoing and expressed optimism that more proficient use of modern technology will help greatly to address economic and security challenges in the region. 

President Jonathan who was accompanied on the one-day official visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali and the Director-General the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayodele Oke has returned to Abuja.

 

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

November 24, 2014