The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC), an NGO has written President Emmanuel Macron of France seeking clarification on his country’s interest in the Lake Chad Basin.
SHAC in the letter, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, commended Macron for participating at the Mali Summit that discussed the dangers of terrorism to the West African sub-region.
The letter was signed by SHAC’s Executive Director, Abubakar Ibrahim.
SHAC said its recent activities had been concentrated in the region, where Nigerian troops, sometimes in coordination with the militaries of neighbouring countries, were conducting operations to defeat fighters of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
” The culmination of that summit in the formation of a Sahel-Force to combat terrorism is a testament to what can be achieved when nations cooperate to address common threats.
”Your country, France, has been in the forefront of forging alliances when it matters.’’
SHAC, however, said there were insinuations that some French elements might be providing support to the insurgents which had led to escalation of attacks in recent times.
The group in the letter, called on Macron to conduct serious investigation into the inference.
“We urge you, in your capacity as one of the influential leaders in the world, to immediately cause an investigation into the extent of France’s involvement.
“It is possible that overzealous operatives and or business executives may be operating below the radar to pass off personal agenda as national interest,” the letter said.
The letter said that the outcome of the investigation must lead to immediate actions against persons found culpable of such gross threat to the world and sanctions for culpable countries.
SHAC works in bringing relief to persons living in crisis hit areas.
It believes that human suffering and loss of life could be avoided in the first place when there are no armed conflicts.
It has major interest in crisis prevention, which it implements by acting as an early warning agency that identifies and flag potential crisis triggers for governments to act towards averting same.