Keywords
Boko Haram
Terrorism
Regional Security
Interstate Cooperation
Multinational Joint Task Force
Counterterrorism
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Abstract
The persistent threat of Boko Haram terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin has presented significant security, humanitarian and socio-economic challenges to Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, necessitating coordinated regional responses. This study examines the role of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in combating Boko Haram terrorism between 2009 and 2023, with particular emphasis on interstate cooperation, regional security mechanisms and the effectiveness of military and non-military counterterrorism strategies. Specifically, the study investigates the historical evolution and underlying causes of Boko Haram insurgency, assesses the contribution of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to regional security, and examines the implementation of the Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery and Resilience (RSS) in conflict-affected communities. Drawing on historical and documentary analysis of relevant scholarly literature, institutional reports, regional security initiatives and policy frameworks, the study demonstrates that cooperation among LCBC member states contributed significantly to containing the geographical expansion of Boko Haram, recovering territories previously controlled by insurgents and strengthening regional security coordination. The findings further reveal that military interventions, particularly joint operations conducted through the MNJTF, achieved considerable tactical successes but remained insufficient to eliminate the underlying causes of violent extremism. Persistent poverty, unemployment, environmental degradation, porous international borders, weak governance and inadequate institutional coordination continued to undermine sustainable peace and security. The study also establishes that non-military interventions, particularly humanitarian assistance, socioeconomic recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration and community resilience programmes, constitute indispensable components of sustainable counterterrorism efforts. It concludes that effective regional security in the Lake Chad Basin requires sustained political commitment, stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms, improved border management and the integration of military operations with comprehensive development-oriented interventions. The study recommends strengthening the institutional capacity of the LCBC, consolidating interstate security cooperation and prioritising inclusive socioeconomic development to address the structural conditions sustaining terrorism in the region.
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