Chad, Nigeria vow to fight Boko Haram together

Chadian President Idriss Deby and visiting Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari pledged to work together to fight Islamic sect Boko Haram.

"President Deby expressed appreciation for the commitment and determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to completely eradicate the terrorist sect Boko Haram. He also reaffirmed the commitment Chad to cooperate with Nigeria," said a statement.

Buhari, who arrived Thursday morning here for an official visit, had a close-door meeting with his Chadian counterpart.

Deby said it is necessary to operationalize the joint multinational force to restore peace and security in northeast Nigeria and in all areas affected by Boko Haram.

The two leaders invited the international community to lend its support to the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) members and their neighboring countries.

The Commissioner of the African Union for Peace and Security, Ismail Chergui, officially launched on May 25 in the Chadian capital, the joint force of Lake Chad Basin Commission to combat Boko Haram.

The regional force should be composed of 10,000 men provided by Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad, all of the LCBC member countries, as well as Benin. Its headquarters is in N'Djamena and will be controlled by a high-ranking Nigerian army officer.

The visit of the new Nigerian president in Chad came less than a week after his swearing-in. The Nigerian president also visited Niger on Wednesday.

Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon have been engaged for several months in a common confrontation with Boko Haram. The armies of these four countries have achieved real progress against the Boko Haram. Endi