The African Union has signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening the use of the African Standby Force to tackle terrorism and emerging security threats across the continent.
According to TheCable, the agreement was announced by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye.
Adeoye disclosed the development during a two-day security forum in Abuja focused on repositioning the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The meeting, organised by Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Centre of the National Defence College, examined evolving threats in the Lake Chad region.
African Union targets stronger regional security
Adeoye explained that the African Standby Force would complement existing military operations against insurgents and other armed groups.
The MNJTF comprises security personnel from countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Benin.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, called for a comprehensive review of the task force’s operations to improve its effectiveness.
Musa identified intelligence sharing, financing, logistics and command structures as areas requiring attention.
He maintained that the changing nature of security threats demanded stronger regional cooperation and more adaptable military operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Oluremi Oluyede, also emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among African security institutions.
Oluyede called for improved intelligence sharing, operational coordination and mutual trust among participating countries.
The latest agreement follows another memorandum signed by the AU, ECOWAS and other regional organisations in Egypt.
That agreement was designed to strengthen coordination surrounding the preparation and possible deployment of the African Standby Force.
The development reflects continuing efforts to improve regional security responses to terrorism, particularly in communities affected by insurgency around Lake Chad.
