Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1318^th meeting held on 15 December 2025, on Consideration of the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the Activities of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against the Boko Haram terrorist group and Renewal of its Mandate.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions on the activities of the MNJTF against Boko Haram and the Lake Chad Basin, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1254 (2025)] adopted at its 1254^th meeting, held on 13 January 2025 at which, among others, Council renewed the mandate of the MNJTF for a period of 12 months;

Reaffirming the unwavering commitment and support of the AU to the MNJTF and to the people and governments of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) region to effectively combat terrorism and violent extremism; as well as to restore lasting peace, security, stability and socio-economic development in the region;

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Ennio Maes, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire to the AU and PSC Chairperson  for the month of December 2025, and the introductory statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, read on his behalf Ms. Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Director for Governance and Conflict Prevention; also noting the briefings by H.E. Ambassador. Mamman Nuhu, the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Head of MNJTF, and by Major General Saidu Tanko Audu, the MNJTF Force Commander; as well as the statements by the Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon in their capacity as MNJTF troop contributing countries (TCCs); and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Endorses the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on the Activities of the MNJTF against the Boko Haram terrorist group; and acknowledges the achievements registered thus far in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the LCB region;

2. Commends the LCBC and all MNJTF Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) for their continued sacrifices and commitment to defeat Boko Haram, stabilize the LCB region and restore lasting peace, security and stability; and encourages them to persevere until the terrorist group is completely defeated;

3. Welcomes the commencement of planned operation Lake Sanit III aimed at degrading the activities of Boko Haram in the LCB; in the same context, requests the AU Commission and the international community to continue supporting the MNJTF with to enable the Mission to more effectively discharge its mandate including sustaining and consolidating the milestones registered thus far;

4. Strongly condemns all terrorist attacks in the LCB area and warns that those responsible will be held accountable;

5. Pays tribute to the MNJTF personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight against terrorism; and, in this regard, expresses condolences to the families and Governments of the deceased and wishes speedy recovery to all those nursing injuries from the terrorist attacks;

6. Takes note of the persistent capacity challenges faced by the MNJTF, including inadequate and insufficient funding and logistical capability gaps, in particular, the lack of sufficient air and amphibious assets, anti-drones and anti-improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and in this respect, appeals to all AU Member States and international partners to honour their pledges to the MNJTF and the LCBC;

7. Also requests the AU Commission to support the mobilization of resources that include air, amphibious assets, anti-drones and anti-IEDs before the commencement of Operation Lake Sanit III; and appeals to the AU Member States and international partners to financially and logistical support the Operation Lake Sanit III;

8. Requests the AU Commission in consultation with the UN to consider the application of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to fund the MNJTF activities;

9. Encourages cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing among Lake Chad Basin countries, fundamental to the MNJTF operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State in the LCB;

10. Acknowledges the humanitarian challenges facing the LCB, including severe climate change impacts, massive population displacements and chronic underfunding of the humanitarian response; in this context, calls for enhanced regional cooperation for coherent responses to the humanitarian challenges facing the region;

11. Requests the AU Commission and the LCBC to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Support Implementation Agreement (SIA) that guides the provision of the AU’s additional support to the MNJTF for a period of one year, starting from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027; and also requests the AU Commission to maintain institutional collaboration and support in the implementation of the adjusted Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience 2.0 (RS-SRR2.0);

12. Decides to renew the mandate of MNJTF for 12 months, effective from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027; and

13. Also decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS