By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum concluded its fifth meeting in Maiduguri, Nigeria, with a renewed commitment to regional stability, peace, and sustainable development.
The three-day conference, which took place from January 29-31, 2025, brought together governors from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, as well as representatives from international and regional organizations.
With the theme “Rebuilding the Lake Chad Basin: Consolidating Gains, Commitment to Peace, Cross-Border Cooperation, Security, and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Community,” the forum aimed to address the region’s complex security, humanitarian, and development challenges.
The Chairman of the Draft Communique Committee, who is also the Governor of Diffa Province , Niger Republic, Brig. Gen. Mahamadou Issah Ibrahim Bagadoma Lamme read the communique on behalf of the committee and forum members.
Read full text of the Communiqué below:
“The LCB Governors’ Forum recognized and commented the substantial achievements made under the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience of the Areas-affected by Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS SRR).
“Which have significantly contributed to stabilization, 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 stabilization, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
“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 reaffirms the commitment to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, international financial institutions, and regional development banks to mobilize financing for the RS SRR, Bagadoma said
“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 stabilization, 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 emphasized 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.
It recognized the AU’s unwavering commitment to the MNJTF, as reflected in the Communiqué of the 973rd meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, and commends 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 forum commends 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 called upon member states to implement the policy effectively.
It further 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.
The forum 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 notes 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 forum welcomed the establishment of the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF) as vital mechanisms to support and coordinate stabilization, recovery, and resilience initiatives across the region.
Key Resolutions and Strategic Commitments
The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing stabilization, 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/or invest in transborder security.
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 neutralized in all the member states.
The forum 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.
It committed itself to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, especially in facilitating reconciliation and reintegration processes as well as strengthen women and youth engagement in stabilization, recovery, and resilience initiatives, ensuring their needs and priorities are effectively addressed.
Equally, the governors forum agreed to enhance the role of civil society and traditional authorities in designing, implementing, and monitoring regional stabilization, recovery, and resilience efforts as well work with the LCBC on advocacy and fundraising with partners and donors towards continuation of stabilization activities in Niger.
The LCBGF 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 /or rehabilitation of cross-border roads as a means of promoting transboundary trade and strengthening security.
They agreed to update and facilitate the implementation of the Territorial Action Plans (TAPs) to align with the adjusted RS SRR and strengthen resource mobilization 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 forum also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR the President and the Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the host Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state and the people of Nigeria for their hospitality.
It further expressed appreciation to the Governor of Hadjer-Lamis, Ildjima Abdraman for her leadership and commitment in steering the LCB Governors Forum between 2023 and 2024 and commends the acceptance of the chairmanship of the LCB Governors’ Forum by the Governor of Yobe State HE Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON.
The LCB Governors’ Forum and the LCBC further acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the technical and financial support from Yobe State Government, the AUC, the UNDP and the ISG, and other immeasurable support from Borno state Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the organization of the 5th Edition of the LCB Governors forum.
It also expressed its appreciation to all participants, including representatives of civil society, traditional and religious rulers, the UN system, academia, media and partner organizations, the ISG and European Union, for their participation and engagement during the meeting and agreed that the next meeting of the LCB Governors’ Forum shall take place next year (2026) in the Republic of Niger.
