President Goodluck Jonathan will on Monday depart Abuja for Ndjamena for talks with his Chadian counterpart, Idriss Deby. The trip is in continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance with Nigeria’s neighbours in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents.
According to a statement by the presidential media aide, Rueben Abati, the talks are expected to lead to the strengthening of the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders.
“In continuation of the Federal Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s neighbours, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will travel to Ndjamena tomorrow for talks with his Chadian counterpart, President Idriss Deby.
“The talks in Ndjamena with President Deby who is also the current Chairman of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council follow their discussions in Nairobi last week on the sidelines of the African Union Peace and Security Council Summit.
“President Jonathan and his host will discuss the further actualization of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.
“Their talks are expected to lead to the strengthening of the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders,” the statement read.
The President will be accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nurudeen Mohammed; and the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Sheidu Mohammed.
Mr. Jonathan will also be a Special Guest of Honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication holding in Ndjamena on Tuesday, before returning to Abuja.