Abuja, 22 November 2019- As part of the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2349 (2017), the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and the system-wide UN strategy on the Lake Chad Basin crisis, the Special Representatives of the Secretary General for Central Africa (UNOCA), François Louncény Fall and for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, and the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, Ángel Losada, concluded today a four-day high-level mission to Nigeria.

The joint mission is the fourth and last leg of the tour of Boko Haram-affected countries following the joint visits to Chad, Cameroon and Niger Chad, respectively on 14-16 March, 23-27 April and 28-30 April. The objective of the joint visits was to express solidarity with and reiterate support to the four States of the Lake Chad Basin region, as well as relevant sub-regional and regional organizations, in their efforts to address the Boko Haram crisis. The visits were also aimed at exploring how the United Nations, the European Union and other international partners could better support national efforts and sub-regional mechanisms in addressing security challenges and the humanitarian and human rights impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on Nigeria.

During the mission in Nigeria, the UN-EU joint high-level delegation met with officials from the Government, military authorities, members of the United Nations Country Team, as well as development partners.

The joint delegation also visited Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria, where it met with the Governor of Borno State, the Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and the Sector Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force.  The delegation also met with representatives of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Stadium IDP Camp.

The UN-EU delegation commended the efforts of actors operating in the North East, especially the humanitarian community and welcomed recent initiatives by the Government of Nigeria to enhance coordination between security services, the humanitarian community and other relevant stakeholders in the region.

The high-level delegation encouraged the Nigerian authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the threat posed by terrorist groups, including military and non-military approaches.

Mr. Losada, Mr. Fall and Mr. Ibn Chambas stressed the importance of a regional and sustainable approach to address the challenges in the North East. They called for the speedy implementation of the initiatives taken in this regard, including within the framework of Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum as well as the Regional strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience of the Boko Haram- affected Areas of the Lake Chad Basin Region.

The UN-EU delegation expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Nigeria and reiterated the international community’s commitment to continue to support them and the region in their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis.