LAGOS, (CAJ News) – THE African Union (AU) and Spain have restated their commitment to strengthen partnerships to combat the Boko Haram insurgency, among other insecurities.
This follows the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, Smaïl Chergui, visiting the European country at the invitation of the Government of Spain.
During the working visit to Madrid, officials discussed peace and security issues of mutual concern and options to enhance cooperation between Spain and the African bloc.
Chergui expressed the African Union’s appreciation for Spain’s important support to African peace missions and emphasized the role of Spain, in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), in promoting a better understanding of African positions on peace and
security issues concerning Africa in the UNSC.
The discussions focused on several issues of common interest and concern, including the AU efforts in support of peace and reconciliation in Somalia, Mali, Libya, Burundi and South Sudan, as well as in searching for a lasting and durable solution to the conflict in Western Sahara.
The regional and international efforts to counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime were also highlighted during the meetings.
In this respect, Chergui informed his hosts the state of operationalisation of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to counter the threat of the Boko Haram terrorist group and other efforts the
AU undertook to strengthen collaboration and coordination between member states in combating terrorism and transnational threats.
“Finally, the two sides commended the exemplary relations existing between the AU and Spain in the area of peace and security and reiterated their commitment to further strengthen their partnership,” Chergui said.
Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group said to be the deadliest globally, is among the biggest problems the AU is facing.
More than 20 000 civilians have been killed and over 2 million displaced during the insurgency.
– CAJ News
http://cajnewsafrica.com/2016/02/19/au-spain-strengthen-resolve-against-terror/
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