Cameroon’s 4th Joint Military Region Commander, Major General Saleh Mahamadou, has forged a strategic partnership with the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General Godwin Mutkut, to deepen operational collaboration in combating terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.
This renewed commitment, made during an operational visit by Major General Mutkut to the headquarters of Operation Emergence 4 in Cameroon, will strengthen the capacity of both forces against the Boko Haram terror group.
Cameroon has been instrumental in combatting terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin, and is a member of the MNJTF, a combining military force comprising troops from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Benin.
MNJTF’s Chief of Military Public Information, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, described the visit as a strategic initiative to strengthen joint efforts against persistent threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
Major General Mutkut noted that both the MNJTF and Operation Emergence 4 face a common enemy that has wreaked havoc in the region for over 15 years, draining national resources and causing devastating human and material losses.
“I came here to meet with the Commander of Emergence 4 face-to-face to share perspectives, address challenges, and design a coordinated strategy to overcome the security threats plaguing the region,” he stated.
Regional Forces Align for Coordinated Counterterrorism Strategy
He emphasized that the renewed synergy would extend beyond the MNJTF and Cameroonian forces to include all regional stakeholders committed to securing the Lake Chad Basin.
Mutkut also urged troop-contributing countries to sustain their support and solidarity, describing them as crucial for consolidating and strengthening the joint counterterrorism mission.
In response, Major General Mahamadou praised the MNJTF for its significant contributions to improving security and reviving economic activity in the region.
He assured that his troops remain fully committed to providing the necessary support and cooperation to harness the combined strength of both forces to defeat the insurgents.
As part of his visit, Major General Mutkut also paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari.
During the meeting, he assured the Governor that a strategic reorientation was underway in counterterrorism operations and promised that enhanced collaboration would yield more tangible results in the coming months.
