By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 11-- The long-delayed UN Security Council resolution on Boko Haram and the Multi-National Joint Task Force has still not been adopted, two months and counting since the French presidency of the Council in which it was predicted.
Inner City Press is informed by the Permanent Representative of one of the MNJTF countries that the hold up has been the change of government in Nigeria, and continuing questions under Buhari whether Nigeria would accept a resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, or only Chapter VI. But where is the funding?
On June 11 the head of the UN Office on Central African Abdoulaye Bathily told the Security Council that
“Boko Haram remained a serious threat to the Lake Chad Basin region. The dire humanitarian situation in this region, resulting from attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram, continued to affect the population, including hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in Cameroon and Chad. Insecurity and insufficient resources continued to strain the already stretched response capacities of governments and UN entities in the affected countries.
“The Economic Community of Central African States demonstrated its commitment to address the Boko Haram threat during several Summits of Heads of State and Government. The deployment of Chadian groups to the border areas of Cameroon and Nigeria and the recent inauguration of the Headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force on Boko Haram signaled increasing cooperation between States in the fight against Boko Haram.
“Military operations have put Boko Haram on the defensive, but recent attacks by the terrorist group highlight the need for the affected states to remain vigilant and engaged. While the fight against Boko Haram is not over, we must start looking ahead to the stabilization phase in order to secure military gains. This will involve international support" --
But where is the international support?
Back on March 30 Inner City Press asked French Ambassador Francois Delattre if it is agreed that the resolution, which faces other issues about the trust fund and financing, should be under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Back on March 30 Inner City Press asked French Ambassador Francois Delattre if it is agreed that the resolution, which faces other issues about the trust fund and financing, should be under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Delattre reiterated that negotiations continued; he is understood to later have told another diplomat that consultations at the Deputy Permanent Representative or Permanent Representative level would be needed. Nothing came of it.
Since then the scandal of France's Sangaris force in the Central African Republic has broken and continues to develop...
Back on January 19, with Boko Haram reaching beyond Nigeria, Chad has sent its forces into Cameroon. Inner City Press asked Chad's ambassador to the UN if his country wants a UN resolution and UN funding.
Yes, he said, unfortunately the Security Council has yet to ask but is expected to adopt a Presidential Statement later on January 19 (see below.)
A Presidential Statement, of course, doesn't provide any funding for soldiers.
Back on December 8, Inner City Press reported on the push by Chad, Cameroon and others to get a UN Security Council resolution. They hoped for it that month, but later other Council members told Inner City Press of resistance from members who wanted to see more details; theses sources complained of Security Council double standards.
Chad, which already expressed anger that the UN's "Sahel" office is not headquartered in one of the Sahel countries and at being taken for granted by, among others, its predecessor as Security Council president, still seems ready to push for a resolution - and funding.
Yes, he said, unfortunately the Security Council has yet to ask but is expected to adopt a Presidential Statement later on January 19 (see below.)
A Presidential Statement, of course, doesn't provide any funding for soldiers.
Back on December 8, Inner City Press reported on the push by Chad, Cameroon and others to get a UN Security Council resolution. They hoped for it that month, but later other Council members told Inner City Press of resistance from members who wanted to see more details; theses sources complained of Security Council double standards.
Chad, which already expressed anger that the UN's "Sahel" office is not headquartered in one of the Sahel countries and at being taken for granted by, among others, its predecessor as Security Council president, still seems ready to push for a resolution - and funding.
The Presidential Statement read out past 6 pm on January 19 urged more planning, while praising Chad or at least the vote in Chad's National Assembly. The rush was before a January 20 meeting in Niger. What's that phrase? "Show me the money."
The Security Council's January 19 Presidential Statement, S/PRST/2015/4, "takes note of the decision of the Lake Chad Basin Commission Member States and Benin to operationalize the Multinational Joint Task Force, including through the establishment of a joint Headquarters and the deployment of national contingents, to conduct military operations against Boko Haram.”
It "welcomes the vote by the National Assembly of Chad on 16 January 2015 which authorized Chadian armed troops and security forces to assist Cameroonian and Nigerian soldiers in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.”
And it “welcomes plans for a regional meeting in Niamey, Niger, on 20 January 2015 to discuss the regional response to the threat posed by Boko Haram. The Security Council urges the LCBC Member States and Benin to undertake further planning toward the sustainable, viable and effective operationalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force.”
Doesn't sustainable mean money? Watch this site.
