Speaking during the visit, the Special Representative Francois Fall thanked the Force Commander, Major General Chikezie Ude for the successes recorded in the ongoing Operation YANCIN TAFKI, noting that the progress made so far was encouraging.
He observed that the Boko Haram problem requires more than a military solution, stressing that there was a need to also examine and address the socioeconomic underpinnings of the crisis.
In his speech, Mr. Angel Losada, conveyed the support and solidarity of the European Union to the MNJTF, adding that the Union would remain in partnership with the MNJTF, particularly, in the areas of political strategy and intelligence sharing.
The report by Nigeria’s Channels Television on Tuesday said that Mr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, noted in his contribution the serious disruption of economic activities among countries of the Lake Chad Area by Boko Haram Insurgency.
He observed that a lot of efforts will be required to deal with the attendant challenges.
Responding, the Force Commander commended members of the delegation for the visit.
He said that the fight against Boko Haram would not have been possible without the support of the international community.
He assured the delegation that the MNJTF in conjunction with national forces would maintain its current posture in the Lake Chad Basin.
The report added that the other members of the delegation were the UN Resident Coordinator in Chad, Mr. Stephen Tull and the Executive Manager of the Committee against Terrorism, Michelle Coninsk.
The report also said that a delegation from the UN Security Council has also visited the MNJTF Tactical Headquarters in Diffa, Niger Republic.
Briefing the team, the Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Seydou Badjie, updated them on the current situation and the challenges facing the MNJTF.
The leader of the delegation, Mr. Abdel Mahjid, said their mission was to assess the MNJTF Area of Operation with a view to making recommendations on how the UN can support African led missions.
The delegation comprises the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to Central Africa, Francois Fall, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to West Africa and Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambas and the Special Representative of the European Union to the Sahel, Angel Losada.