1. Nigeria and Sierra Leonean Police sign agreement to bolster cooperation.
At a meeting in Abuja, Nigerian Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, signed an agreement with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Dr Ambrose Michael Sovula to improve cooperation between the two forces. The agreement seeks to improve interoperability in areas including manpower development, intelligence sharing, tackling regional and transnational threats and crimes. Speaking at the meeting, Inspector General Usman Baba noted “the need for continuous bilateral police cooperation and network to successfully confront regional security threats”.
2. Cameroon and Nigeria pledge to coordinate in struggle against secessionist movements.
At the eight session of the Cameroon – Nigeria transborder meeting, Nigeria and Cameroon committed to fighting insurgent groups operating across borders in each country. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, said that armed separatist groups were uniting to destabilise both countries. Monguno went on to express the intent of Nigeria’s President, "President Muhammadu Buhari reassures you [Cameroon] that Nigeria's territory will never be used by any group of secessionists to destabilize another friendly sovereign country. In addition, we would work closely together to ensure that any real or perceived attempt to form any alliances between secessionist groups in Nigeria and Cameroon are decisively dealt with," The practicalities of how this cooperation might look were described on the Cameroonian side by Terrirotial Administration Minister, Paul Nji, "To eradicate transborder insecurity in all its forms or, I believe, to reduce it to minimum, our security forces must intensify intelligence gathering and information sharing. It must include measures to check religious radicalism, foster education and promote economic and social development projects along our common border."
3. Shooting in Dar Es Salaam diplomatic district leaves four dead.
An attack outside the French Embassy in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, has resulted in the deaths of three police officers and one private security guard. The gunman was killed by security forces as he hid in a guard post. No motive has yet been confirmed, though Tanzanian authorities are working on the possible assumption that it is linked to the country’s role in fighting militants in neighbouring Mozambique.
4. Australia helps Solomon Islands to build six new mobile phone towers in boost to security.
In order to help address the Solomon Islands’ black spots in connectivity on its western coast, Australia has helped build six new mobile phone towers. The development is a continuation of Australia’s security and development commitment to its pacific neighbourhood and sees Australia fully fund the new towers upon request from the Solomon Islands Government. Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said in response to the development, "Australia is committed to supporting the Solomon Islands Government in its efforts to combat COVID-19 and strengthen border security. These towers complement our policing partnership, longstanding maritime and defence cooperation, and health security collaboration. They will build on our Coral Sea Cable partnership to increase connectivity to remote areas of Solomon Islands."
Solomon Islands’ Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Anthony Veke said in response, "In addition to improving border security, these towers will help the Government respond to natural disasters, improve service delivery and boost business opportunities for the communities in these border areas."
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