The Republic of Egypt has pledged its support and cooperation to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin.
The commitment was made when the Egyptian Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Ambassador Tarek Youssef, accompanied by Egypt’s Defence Attaché to Chad and Sudan, Staff Colonel Ahmed Gamal El-Barbary, paid a courtesy visit to the Headquarters of the MNJTF.
Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Youssef described the MNJTF as a successful and exemplary regional security initiative that deserves sustained backing. He commended the Force for its role in addressing terrorism and cross-border security threats affecting countries within the Lake Chad Basin.
“The MNJTF is a model force that should be supported and even replicated,” the ambassador said. “Its efforts in tackling terrorism across contiguous nations in the Lake Chad Basin are commendable.”
Ambassador Youssef also sought clarification on the operational command structure of troops contributed by member countries, underscoring Egypt’s interest in understanding and strengthening coordination within the Force.
In his remarks, Staff Colonel El-Barbary reaffirmed Egypt’s willingness to deepen cooperation with the MNJTF, particularly in capacity building and logistics.
“I am keen to facilitate assistance in the areas of training, equipment support and operational cooperation with the MNJTF,” he said, noting his longstanding and “warm relationship” with nationals of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. He added that Egypt stands ready to provide meaningful support to enhance the Force’s effectiveness.
Responding on behalf of the MNJTF, the Force Commander, Major General Saidu Tanko Audu, expressed appreciation to the Egyptian delegation for the visit, describing it as timely and significant.
“I thank the Ambassador and the Defence Attaché for this visit, which I see as double-headed in its importance,” Major General Audu said. “It reflects genuine interest in supporting the MNJTF to fully achieve its mandate.”
The MNJTF commander highlighted key achievements of the Force, including the degradation of Boko Haram terrorist elements and the facilitation of the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees to their ancestral communities.
Major General Audu also traced the evolution of the MNJTF, recalling its formative years and eventual adoption by the African Union as a model multinational force dedicated to addressing shared security challenges among member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
He further acknowledged Egypt’s experience in confronting security threats in the Sahel and North Africa, stressing that the MNJTF stands to benefit from such expertise.
“We intend to leverage Egypt’s experience, particularly in intelligence sharing, counter-improvised explosive device operations and the use of unmanned aerial vehicle jammers,” he said, while calling for deeper collaboration in these critical areas.
The visit underscores growing regional and international support for the MNJTF as it continues its campaign against terrorism and instability in the Lake Chad Basin.
