Response Capacity Is Weak In The Sahel And Lake Chad Basin – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the world to pursue peace and decent living for all people.

Buhari, delivered Nigeria’s National Statement and praised the international community’s support against Boko Haram and for providing support to address the huge humanitarian challenges in Nigeria’s North-East.

“In an exemplary show of solidarity, the international community came together within my own region to assist the countries and communities in the Sahel.

“The international community also assisted the Lake Chad regions to contain the threats posed by Al Qaida and Boko Haram.

“We thank the Security Council for visiting the countries of the Lake Chad Basin to assess the security situation and humanitarian needs and for pledging assistance to rebuild lives and livelihoods.

“Indeed, in Nigeria we are providing relief and humanitarian assistance to millions in internally displaced camps and those afflicted by terrorism, drought, floods and other natural disasters,” he said.

“I assure you of my country’s solidarity and cooperation. You will indeed, need the cooperation of all member-states as we are meeting during extra-ordinarily troubled and dangerous times.”

“In the last year, the international community came together to focus on the need for gender equality, youth empowerment, social inclusion, and the promotion of education, creativity and innovation.

“The frontiers of good governance, democracy, including holding free and fair elections, and enthronement of the rule of law are expanding everywhere, especially in Africa.

“Our faith in democracy remains firm and unshaken. Our regional organisation, ECOWAS, came together to uphold democratic principles in The Gambia as we had done previously in Cote D’Ivoire,” he said.

“These can only be achieved through the international community cooperating and providing critical assistance and material support.

“We shall also cooperate in addressing the growing transnational crimes such as forced labour, modern day slavery, human trafficking and cybercrime. These cooperative efforts should be sustained.

“We must collectively devise strategies and mobilise the required responses to stop fleeing ISIS fighters from mutating and infiltrating into the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin.

“The Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin are where there are insufficient resources, and response capacity is weak.

“This will require strong UN cooperation with regional organisations, such as the African Union, in conflict prevention and management,” he said.