French president Macron tells Buhari to use culture to empower youth in fight against Boko Haram
French president Emmanuel Macron offered to support Nigeria’s efforts to realise security within its borders and eliminate terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, through securing the Sahel region.
Macron arrived in Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria, on Tuesday, where he addressed a joint press conference with his counterpart Muhammadu Buhari. The two leaders discussed security in the region, although Macron went further and highlighted the cultural aspect of his visit to Africa’s biggest economy.
In the fight against the jihadist insurrection of Boko Haram, Macron reiterated France’s commitments to support the “defence and stabilisation of the Sahel region”, in particular through the strength of the G5 Sahel, which was at the heart of discussions at the African Union summit in Nouakchott.
“You have a friend in France,” he assured the Nigerian head of state,
who still faces Boko Haram in the north-east of the country.
Buhari noted that all the countries bordering Nigeria were
French-speaking, and that France’s assistance was therefore essential
for the proper coordination with neighbours in the fight against
terrorism.
Promoting culture to fight terrorism
But Macron was quick to highlight that “the heart of this visit is
to broaden the partnership between France and Nigeria on cultural,
economic and sports subjects”, which according to him give “perspectives
and opportunities to youth” so that they do not join the jihadist
movements.
“We must show the vitality of the African cultural sector, of which Nigeria is a showcase,” he said.
After this press conference, Emmanuel Macron immediately flew to
Lagos, the economic and cultural capital of West Africa, where he was to
attend an unusual evening of concerts, theatre and fashion shows at the
New Afrika Shrine, a concert hall founded by the late Afrobeat king,
Fela Kuti.
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