Underdevelopment, poverty and ignorance are fertile grounds for activities of terrorist movements such as Boko Haram to thrive, President Paul Biya said in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Head of State was at the head of a delegation on a two-day visit to Nigeria after that of July 2015 to Cameroon by his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari.

In a toast to response to an address by President Buhari, Biya appreciated the exceptional welcome accorded him, his wife and the Cameroonian delegation stating that “it bears the hallmarks of the legendary hospitality of the Nigerian people.”

Acknowledging that the July 2015 visit to Cameroon by Buhari definitely marked a turning point in the relations between the two countries, Biya said, “we have observed that we have a lot in common and that there is a wide array of cooperation opportunities between our two countries.

But above all, we have noted that we have a common enemy. Of course, I am referring to Boko Haram, whose obscurantist goals and barbaric methods run counter to the aspirations of our peoples.”

“What the people of the two nations really desire is development which will bring about an improvement in their living conditions and a society of peace, prosperity and fraternity. Having to face a common threat has undoubtedly been a driving force behind the rapprochement and understanding between Nigeria and Cameroon, such as the brotherly cooperation between our armies,” Biya noted.

He concurred with Buhari that the offensives launched by the Nigerian army against Boko Haram positions have “technically” neutralised the terrorist organisation while the forces of other countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (including Cameroon) have been harassing the terrorist groups that have retreated to the border areas.

I wish at this point congratulate the defence and security forces of all our countries and the Multinational Joint Task Force on their vigilance and efficiency.”

According to President Biya, “there is now reason to hope that very soon, Boko Haram which has been severely weakened, will no longer have its disruptive capacity.”

He used the occasion to express sympathy for the numerous victims of the suicide attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria and also wished to see the young Chibok girls freed soon.

“Right away, I would like to hail the measures thus far taken on your initiative to restore public authority in the areas that have been seized back, and to ease the resettlement of displaced persons.

Rest assured…that Cameroon will continue to provide all the necessary assistance to your compatriots who were compelled to flee combat zones. Incidentally, that is just another good turn for your country’s hospitality to Cameroonians who have chosen to live in Nigeria,” Biya told Buhari.

Biya believes that once the terrorist phenomenon is eradicated, it will be in the interest of Lake Chad area countries, notably Nigeria and Cameroon to consult with one another to prevent its resurgence.
“The idea will be to come up with common military and security measures, but also other measures likely to accelerate development in the regions concerned,” said Biya.

To curb such a phenomenon, Biya believes that it would be worthwhile, for starters, to design joint development projects in our border areas which are sometimes neglected.

Using the resources they have, agricultural and infrastructure projects could be considered jointly. To that end, we need to link our road networks (that is ongoing), provide electricity (which Cameroon will be able to do in the medium term) and provide social facilities in those areas.

“I am referring particularly to areas that have been devastated by Boko Haram and where displaced people will have to be resettled. Pending that, I believe we should do all we can to strengthen and diversify our cooperation ties. In this regard, there are various agreements whose implementation would yield positive outcomes for our two countries,” Biya noted.

President Biya saw the necessity of the next session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Joint Commission invigorating cooperation ties in some of the areas, while the Mixed Commission tasked with demarcating the common border completes its work.

The framework agreement on cross-border cooperation on hydrocarbons is also expected to be finalised as Biya thinks the economic relations between the two countries are far from having reached their full potential.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing that marked the end of the visit, Nigerian journalists sought to know the veracity of the story that Cameroon’s refusal to collaborate with Nigeria in the early days of the fight against Boko Haram, who from time to time reportedly relocated in Cameroon, explains why the terrorist group is yet to be defeated.

Biya refuted such claims, stating that Cameroon is at the forefront with Nigeria, Chad and Benin in the fight against Boko Haram.

In reaction to a question from a Cameroonian journalist why Nigeria is still exploiting hydrocarbons and fishery resources in Bakassi contrary to the International Court of Justice ruling and the Green Tree Agreement, Buhari said his country is a respecter of the law and promised that the terms of the ruling will be fully adhered to.