The 16th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the six member states of the Lake Chad basin has opened in Abuja, Nigeria.
Member countries are reflecting on innovative approaches to improve the living condition of the populations around the lake Chad basin.
The summit hold in the Nigerian Capital is chaired by that country’s President, Mohammadu Buhari.
Cameroon’s Head of State, Paul Biya is reprsented by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo.
During the summit, Minister Joseph Beti Assomo expressed resolve of President Paul Biya to support the resolutions of the of LCBC leaders.
One of the highlights of the Summit was the designation of Chad’s transitional leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno as new chair of the Summit of Heads of State of the Lake Chad basin commission.
The summit of Lake Chad Basin leaders comes after the 68th ordinary session of the Ministers Conference of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission that opened a day earlier.
The President of the Governors Forum of Lake Chad Basin, who doubles as the Governor of the Far North region of Cameroon, Midjiyawa Bakari outlined some of the major challenges of the region.
“Firstly, there is a problem of cross border security and the need to harmonised to be at thesame level of information.
Secondly, the problem of water resources. It is a rarity of water from lake Chad basin that gave birth to the Boko haram crisis.
We have as priority to refill the water body of Lake Chad so that activities that were once booming resume including lifestock breeding, agriculture and commerce.
Third is challenge of climate change and the consolidation of peace as well as sustainable development.
The situation of Refugees. They are over 70 thousand Nigerian refugees at the Minawao refugee camp. Last year, about 5000 have been repatriated voluntarily under humanitarian and social condistions indicated by the Head of State of Cameroon.
The process was highly appreciated by the National and International community. We envisage the voluntary repartiation of a second continengent in the days ahead.
These issues featured in the discussions amongst the leaders of Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Central African Republic and Lybia that make up the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
