The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has congratulated the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum for the successful hosting of its fifth meeting in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and the emergence of Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as its Chairman.
In a statement, CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (well known as Rafsanjani) said that the development underscored the collective commitment of regional leaders to addressing the multi-faceted challenges affecting the Lake Chad Basin, particularly security, climate change, economic development, and humanitarian crises.
CISLAC said: ‘We recognise and appreciate the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) for their unwavering support of this initiative and their broader commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development across Africa.
‘Their role in strengthening regional governance, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and facilitating conflict resolution is critical in addressing the deep-rooted crises affecting communities in the Lake Chad Basin’.
At a time when tension among member-countries of the Economic Community of West African States poses a significant threat to regional stability, CISLAC urged all stakeholders to prioritise diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation over conflict. ‘A divided region weakens the collective ability to confront common challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and economic hardship.
‘The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum should serve as a model for regional cooperation, where shared interests outweigh individual political differences’, the organisation counselled.
CISLAC further observed: ‘The persistence of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency continues to threaten millions of lives across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.
‘While military efforts have played a crucial role, sustainable peace will only be achieved through stronger regional coordination, intelligence-sharing, and investment in community-led stabilisation programs. The Forum must continue to push for better governance, socio-economic opportunities, and rehabilitation programs to counter extremist recruitment and reintegrate former combatants’.
Addressing the impact of climate change, CISLAC highlighted that, ‘the shrinking of Lake Chad, which has lost 90 per cent of its original size since the 1960s, has led to water scarcity, displacement, and food insecurity, exacerbating conflicts in the region.
‘CISLAC calls for urgent climate adaptation policies, sustainable water management, and increased investment in climate resilience programs to protect the livelihoods of communities that depend on the lake. The international community must do more to support the region in adapting to the devastating impact of climate change’.
For the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum to achieve its full potential, CISLAC emphasised the need for ‘stronger governance, sustainable funding mechanisms, and reinforced international support.
It further advocated for ‘increased financial commitments from national governments, development partners, and regional bodies to implement peacebuilding and development projects.
‘CISLAC calls for stronger political will to implement cross-border security agreements and ensure the free movement of people and goods within the region.The removal of trade barriers is also necessary to boost regional free trade, enhance economic integration, and create sustainable jobs, reducing youth vulnerability to radicalisation.
‘CISLAC urges all stakeholders — governments, regional organisations, civil society, and international partners — to support the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum as a vital platform for regional peace, stability, and economic transformation.
“Now is the time for renewed commitment, greater accountability, and inclusive governance to ensure that no community in the Lake Chad region is left behind’, the group further said.
