Regional leaders at the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum (LCBGF) have called for greater financial backing and strategic interventions to effectively implement the Regional Stabilisation Strategy (RSS).
Gov. Ildjima Abdraman of Hadjer Lamis Region, Chad, who currently chairs the Forum, made the appeal at the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Abdraman said the call was imperative in view of the urgent needs to addressing the region’s multifaceted challenges, ranging from security threats, governance issues to rebuilding of communities affected by insurgency.
She enumerated the pressing challenges being faced by region, underscoring the interconnected crises of environmental degradation, political tensions, and transnational terrorism.
“The Lake Chad Basin is one of Africa’s most challenged regions, grappling with interconnected crises such as environmental degradation, political tensions, and transnational threats,” she said.
Abdraman pointed out that the devastating impact of climate change had significantly reduced water resources, affecting livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and exacerbating competition for scarce resources.
“In response to these challenges, we must adopt a regional stabilisation strategy that strengthens the social contract with our populations.
“This strategy must also focus on the empowerment of women and youth, promoting their social inclusion and economic autonomy,” she said.
The Forum, which brought together governors from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, as well as international partners, sought to address these challenges through enhanced cooperation and the effective implementation of the Regional SStabilisation Strategy (RSS).
Abdraman said that, for these efforts to succeed, substantial financial resources must be mobilised
“We call for increased financial support to effectively implement the RSS, which aims to address the root causes of insecurity, improve governance, and rebuild affected communities,” the governor said.
She urged all stakeholders to work in tandem to achieve sustainable peace and development in the region.
Abdraman also acknowledged the vital role of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in overseeing the implementation of these initiatives, urging the Commission to intensify efforts in promoting social integration and regional peace.
“Strategic and political cooperation are essential for fostering connectivity and boosting regional productivity to address the threats we face,” she said.
Abdraman called for greater unity and cooperation among all partners for the betterment of the region and its people: “Long live sub-regional cooperation!”
In her address, Ms Anka Feldhusen, Director for Crisis Prevention and Stabilisation at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, reaffirmed her country’s ongoing support for the Lake Chad Basin’s recovery and peace efforts.
She noted that the Forum came at a crucial juncture, marking a new phase in regional engagement.
“This Forum represents a pivotal moment in our collective approach to the region’s sStabilisation.”
“Thanks to the impressive work done by regional leaders and partners, we have seen displaced people return home, livelihoods rebuilt, and hope restored,” Feldhusen said.
She, however, said despite these efforts, significant challenges remained, adding that instability, poverty, and the impact of climate change continue to threaten the region.
“To succeed, we must foster even greater coordination and collaboration among governments, international organisations, civil society, and local communities,” she said.
“We need collective ownership of the strategies, and I call on all stakeholders to support the Special Policy Development Library Fund and the Nexus Funding Facility, which are being launched today,” Feldhusen said.
She expressed gratitude for the ongoing commitment of the International Support Group (ISG) and reiterated Germany’s determination to continue supporting efforts to build a stable and prosperous future for the Lake Chad Basin.
By Hamza Suleiman