By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Thursday 6 March, 2025 welcomed a delegation of Sahelian Think Tanks from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
The high-level engagement underscores a renewed commitment to tackling terrorism and insecurity in the region through a blend of military and diplomatic strategies.
Honorable Aliyu Gebi, leader of the delegation, highlighted that this meeting is the result of over 12 years of discussions aimed at merging kinetic (military) and non-kinetic (diplomatic) efforts.
“While military action is crucial for achieving short-term victories, lasting peace can only be attained through a combination of strategic cooperation and diplomatic efforts.” He said, referencing earlier meetings in Barcelona and workshops in Norway, which laid the foundation for this visit.
General Musa emphasized the crucial need for unity in combating terrorism, noting that terrorists disregard national boundaries, making a collaborative approach essential for defeating them.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with its neighbors, emphasizing that cultural and historical ties among Sahelian nations should foster cooperation rather than division. “We are the same people, only separated by artificial borders,” he said.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working with its neighbours, Gen. Musa emphasized that “cultural and historical ties among Sahelian nations should foster cooperation rather than division.”
Reflecting on his experience as a former Theater Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, General Musa shared insights into how Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts have evolved.
He explained that the military’s approach has increasingly combined force with dialogue, ensuring that willing defectors from terrorist groups are given a fair chance to reintegrate into society. He credited the Operation Safe Corridor initiative as a crucial element in addressing the insurgency by providing pathways for repentant militants to surrender and reintegrate.
Head of the Sahelian delegation, General Aimé Simporé, praised Nigeria’s resilience in the fight against terrorism and acknowledged the country’s extensive experience in counter-terrorism as a valuable asset for regional security efforts. He stressed that defeating terrorism requires a unified approach, where nations share intelligence, strategies, and best practices.
As talks progress, both parties are dedicated to bolstering regional cooperation, underscoring the conviction that lasting peace can only be attained through unified efforts. This commitment reflects the understanding that collective action is essential for achieving sustainable peace, as emphasized by the UN Secretary-General’s report on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
The meeting marks a significant milestone in harmonizing counter-terrorism efforts across the Sahel region, demonstrating that collaborative approaches yield better security outcomes than solo initiatives.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of souvenirs and the signing of visitors book.
