Nigeria Seeks International Support to Address Sahel Violence

Minister Highlights Media's Indispensable Role in Shaping Narratives
Minister Highlights Media's Indispensable Role in Shaping Narratives

Nigeria Committed to Tackling Insecurity in the Sahel Region

The Nigerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the growing insecurity in the Sahel region, which has been plagued by violence, terrorism, and organized crime. The country’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this statement at the first international conference organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

The conference, themed "Interrogating the Root Cause of Violence in the Sahel and Its Impact on Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity," brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to assess and propose solutions to the challenges posed by violence in the Sahel region. Idris emphasized that the region has become a vortex of instability, violence, terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, smuggling of weapons, and violent extremism, with spillover effects on Nigeria due to its porous borders with the region.

According to Idris, Nigeria shares a long and porous border with several Sahelian countries caught up in conflict, making it vulnerable to the spillover effects of the conflict. He acknowledged that the country’s porous borders with the region have threatened its security and challenged its capacity to maintain effective control over its borders.

The Minister highlighted that the root causes of violence in the Sahel region include socioeconomic marginalization, weak governance structures, environmental challenges, and organized crime. However, he emphasized that the Federal Government is committed to addressing these underlying issues both domestically and in collaboration with international partners.

Nigeria has stepped up its engagement with its neighbors and other regional and international partners, strengthening joint military operations and supporting initiatives aimed at stabilizing the Sahel region. The country is also investing in equipment, manpower, and intelligence gathering to win the war against insecurity.

To tackle the challenges, Idris urged experts to dissect the root causes of armed conflicts in the Sahel region and develop innovative solutions to address the issues. He also emphasized the need for collaboration between government agencies, international partners, and security experts to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contribute to lasting peace and stability in the Sahel region.

The conference was attended by key national and international stakeholders, including former head of state General Abdulsalam Abubakar, as chairman of the occasion, and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, as guest speaker. Other dignitaries present included President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s representative, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and several ministers.

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