Good governance, youth employment must be combined with military force to truly defeat terrorism- Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday argued that military force and law enforcement measures alone were insufficient in the quest to defeat terrorism.

He noted that African leaders must adopt a multifaceted approach to combat and truly conquer terrorism.

Buhari said this at a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on the sidelines of the 30th AU Summit holding in in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The council is a standing organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

“Terrorism cannot be defeated only through military force and law enforcement measures. We need to adopt a multifaceted approach of good governance, economic development and creation of job opportunities for our youths,” Buhari said.

The president said Nigeria was greatly concerned by the increasing threats from transnational terrorism and the attendant humanitarian crisis.

He condemned the activities of terrorist groups in Africa and around the world and called for more concerted action by the council and the rest of the international community to address the challenge.

Read also: 2 soldiers wounded as troops deal heavy blow on Boko Haram in Sambisa forest

“For us to combat the threats posed by transnational terrorism, we must first of all address the conditions that are conducive to the spread of extremism, radicalisation and terrorism in our communities.

“We must take collaborative measures to disrupt terrorists recruitment and financing networks. We must find effective ways to stop the movement of foreign fighters,” Buhari said.

Buhari noted however that Nigeria was encouraged by the sustained multi-pronged fight against Boko Haram and their foreign supporters which had led to the degrading of the group, especially through the operational vehicle of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

He commended the efforts of the Lake Chad Basin countries and Benin, the AU and the international community in recording the gains.

The president said the replication of the MNJTF model should be encouraged for countering terrorism on the continent.

Buhari however acknowledged that in spite of the achievements so far recorded, there were still some pockets of terrorist activities within the Lake Chad Basin region of Nigeria.

He therefore called on the international community for more support against Boko Haram and the consequent humanitarian crisis.

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