Youssouf declared his deep dismay at the attack carried out by an unmanned aerial vehicle last Monday in the Lake Chad Basin, which highlights the growing threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

On behalf of the AU, he expressed his sincere condolences to the families of the 12 Cameroonian soldiers killed, the government and the people of the African country, and wished the wounded a full and speedy recovery.

“This reprehensible act of violence reinforces the urgent need to intensify counter-terrorism efforts to eradicate Boko Haram and other extremist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin,” the text stressed.

It reiterated the African Union’s unwavering solidarity with Yaoundé and all member states of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

The AU also reiterated the continental organization’s commitment to mobilize and provide the necessary resources to strengthen collective security initiatives, eliminate armed groups and move towards the goal of silencing weapons throughout the region.

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