President Buhari’s recent talks with Cameroon’s President Biya on Boko Haram, as well as his appointment of a Nigerian commander to head the new Multi-National Joint Task Force, reflect the importance of developing a regional response to Boko Haram.

The new task force is expected to have the vital ability to cross borders in order to pursue Boko Haram throughout the Lake Chad basin. Until now, longstanding territorial disputes between Nigeria and Cameroon have got in the way of that capability – to Boko Haram’s benefit.

Many of NSN’s analysts suspect that Boko Haram wish to create an Islamic territory along the geographic lines of the old Kanuri Empire, which cuts across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger – all of which are in Boko Haram’s current operational space. Just as Boko Haram does not recognise national borders, so too the response must be essentially cross-border – a point emphasised by Ryan Cummings in this month’s briefing.

This should begin with the multi-national force, but ultimately extend further. Countries affected by Boko Haram could all benefit by sharing intelligence as a matter of course, allowing cross-border operations, and planning operations and long-term strategy together at a senior level.

Andrew Noakes
Director
NSN

Our analysis

Ryan Cummings argues that a regional response to Boko Haram is critical to defeating the insurgency, but warns that it has not yet got off the ground. Boko Haram continues to be defined by other countries as Nigeria’s problem spilling over to their borders, rather than an insurgency with roots outside of Nigeria. He calls on Cameroon in particular to recognise the domestic threat posed by Boko Haram.

Saratu Abiola’s Testimonial Archive Project brings us another insightful interview into the situation in north-east Nigeria, this time through an interview with Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji who manages agricultural projects in conflict-affected areas. The interview paints a dark picture of the impact Boko Haram’s violence has had on agricultural livelihoods in the region, with many farmers too afraid to farm their land.

Buhari visit to reset the bilateral relationship
In his latest blog on Nigeria, Ambassador Campbell sets the scene for President Buhari’s visit to Washington earlier this month. He views Buhari’s visit as an opportunity to reset relations between the US and Nigeria following a difficult year under the previous administration, with allegations of human rights violations and lack of support for the counter-insurgency traded between Washington and Abuja.

Key points from this briefing

• Boko Haram does not recognise national borders and operates in a cross-border space
• The response to Boko Haram must be regional in nature, with the new multi-national force serving as a good first step
• Boko Haram’s violence has had a devastating impact on the agricultural economy in north-east Nigeria, with many farmers too afraid to farm their land
• President Buhari’s visit to Washington was an opportunity to reset relations between Nigeria and the US after a difficult year