Sahel, Lake Chad ambassadors meet in Borno over security, trade

From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri

Ambassadors and diplomats from the Sahel and Lake Chad countries have converged on Borno State to discuss security and trade cooperation in the region.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, said the two-day high-level retreat of Nigerian ambassadors and diplomats from the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin countries was organised to develop practical solutions to the region’s critical challenges.

He said the Sahel and Lake Chad regions were plagued by terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organised crime, irregular migration, climate change, environmental degradation, humanitarian crises and geopolitical competition.

“These are challenges that transcend national boundaries, and no single country, however formidable in military strength and resource endowment, can, on its own alone, surmount these challenges or live in isolation,” the minister said.

Enikanolaiye explained that the diplomats were in Borno to explore opportunities to rebuild confidence, strengthen dialogue and deepen political consultations, rather than dwell solely on the challenges confronting the region.

He said Nigeria’s relationship with the countries of the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin was unique and enduring, describing it as a relationship founded not merely on diplomatic engagement or geographical contiguity, but on centuries of shared history, commerce, culture, religion, language and enduring family ties.

According to him, while internal borders among the countries in the region define their sovereignty as independent nations, they do not diminish the deep historical and socio-cultural bonds that unite their peoples.

He described the theme of the retreat, “Strengthening Nigeria’s Engagement With Lake Chad Countries Toward Peace, Security and Trade Collaboration,” as apt.

The minister disclosed that Borno was chosen to host the retreat not only because of its historical importance and links with most Sahel countries, but also to enable participants to experience the resilience and transformation of the state after years of insurgency.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for bringing the retreat to the state.

The retreat was attended by Nigerian diplomats, as well as the ambassadors of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Mauritania to Nigeria and top officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.