5 - Rethinking the Functionality of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Managing the Boko Haram Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin
Corresponding Author(s) : Isaac Olawale Albert
Africa Development,
Vol. 42 No. 3 (2017): Africa Development: Special Issue on Security Regimes in Africa – Prospects and Challenges
Abstract
The countries in the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) established the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in April 2012 and upgraded it in 2015 for managing the ongoing Boko Haram crisis that started in Nigeria in 2002. The decision followed the realization that the problem is not necessarily Nigerian, as initially perceived, but a regional question. This security management formation is with a counter-terrorism mandate. This article takes a critical look at the challenges in the functioning of the security regimen. The most critical of the problems is that, though the countries need to work collaboratively at dealing with a common enemy, they are suspicious of each other over border issues. Nigeria is suspicious of Cameroon and Chad, which are in turn suspicious of Nigeria. This factor has reduced the effectiveness of this security community. The lesson here is that African states need to work on their relations timeously to enable them have smooth working relationship when they have to face a common enemy.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Aghemelo, A.T. and S. Ibhasebhor, 2006, ‘Colonialism as a Source of Boundary Dispute and Conflict among African States: The World Court Judgement on the Bakassi Pennisula and its Implications for Nigeria’, Journal of Social Science, Kamla-Raj 13 (3).
- Albert, I.O. and N.D. Danjibo, 2004, ‘Borno: Fitting the Designs of Political Elite’ in Isumonah, A.V., ed., Participatory Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria, Ibadan: Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies.
- Albert, I.O., 2009, ‘An Alternative Explanation of Religious Fundamentalism in Northern Nigeria’, Peace and Conflict, Abuja: Heinrich Böll Stiftung, www.ng.boell.org/downloads/Alternative_Explanation_of_Religious_Fundamentalism_in_Nigeria(2).pdf.
- Deutsch, K.W. et al., 1957, Political Community and the North Atlantic Area: International Organisation in the Light of Historical Experience, Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Ifabiyi, I.P., 2013, ‘Recharging the Lake Chad: The Hydro Politics of National Security and Regional Integration in Africa’, African Research Review 7 (3) July: 196–216.
- Information Nigeria, 2015, ‘Boko Haram: Chad Yet To Deploy Troops To MNJTF – Defence Chief’, 20 November, https://www.informationng.com/2015/11/boko-Haram-chad-yet-to-deploy-troops-to-mnjtf-defence-chief.html.
- Institute for Security Studies, 2015, ‘PSC to approve final plans for the regional fight against Boko Haram’, 25 February, http://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/psc-approve-final-plans-regional-fight-against-boko-Haram.
- IRIN, 2002, ‘Nigeria: Border Issues around Lake Chad Cause Concern’, IRIN, www.irinnews.org/report/34503/nigeria-border-issues-around-lake-chad-cause-concern.
- Johnson, I.J., 2014, ‘Inter-security Agencies Conflict at Nigeria’s Borders: A Challenge to Nigeria’s National Security’, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 4 (7) May: 211–16.
- Kane, O., 2003, Muslim Modernity in Post Colonial Nigeria: A Study of the Society for the Removal of Innovation and Reinstatement of Tradition, Leiden and Boston: Brill.
- Kindzeka, M.E., 2014, ‘Lake Chad Countries Agree on Military Task Force amid Insecurity’, 18 March, Voice of America News, http://www.voanews.com/a/lake-chad-countries-agree-on-military-task-force-amid-insecurity/1873650. html.
- Kuptchan, C.A., 2001, ‘Empires and Geopolitical Competition: Gone for Good?’ in Crocker, C.A., Hampson, F.O. and Aall, P., eds, Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict, Washington DC: United States Institute Press.
- Musa, S., 2013, ‘Baga: Multinational Joint Task Forces, BHTs and Host Community, Sahara Reporters, 7 May, http://saharareporters.com/2013/05/07/baga-multinational-joint-task-forces-bhts-and-host-community-lt-col-sagir-musa, accessed 4 June 2015.
- Roggio, B., 2015, ‘Boko Haram Overruns Multinational Joint Task Force’, Long War Journal, 4 January, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/01/boko_Haram_overruns_1.php#ixzz3OGgsjjEN.
- Tarlebbea, K.N. and Baroni, S., 2010, ‘The Cameroon and Nigeria Negotiation Process over the Contested Oil rich Bakassi Peninsula’, Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences, Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 2 (1): 198–210.
- Théroux-Bénoni, L., 2015, ‘Without Buy-in from Nigeria on the Military Response and Beyond, No Lasting Solution to the Boko Haram Problem is Possible’, ISS Today, 10 February, https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-fight-against-boko-haram-tangled-up-in-nigerian-and-regional-politics.
- Tilde, A.U., 2014, ‘Nigerian Military, Yesterday and Today’, Sahara Reporters, 10 September, saharareporters.com/2014/09/10/Nigerian-military-yesterday-and- today-dr-aliyu-u-tilde.
- This Day, 2014, ‘Boko Haram: Nigerian Borders with Cameroon Closed Down’, 23 February.
- Vanguard, 2012, ‘Obasanjo Visits Late Boko Haram’s Leader’s Family’, 16 September.
- Vogt, M.A., 1987, ‘Strategies for Enhancement of the Security of Nigerian Borders’, Eagle Journal of the Nigerian Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigeria, Special Edition, 39–40.
- Vogt, M.A., 1992, ‘Nigeria and Chad’ in Ate, B. and Akinterinwa, B., eds, Nigeria and Its Immediate Neighbours, Lagos: Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.
References
Aghemelo, A.T. and S. Ibhasebhor, 2006, ‘Colonialism as a Source of Boundary Dispute and Conflict among African States: The World Court Judgement on the Bakassi Pennisula and its Implications for Nigeria’, Journal of Social Science, Kamla-Raj 13 (3).
Albert, I.O. and N.D. Danjibo, 2004, ‘Borno: Fitting the Designs of Political Elite’ in Isumonah, A.V., ed., Participatory Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria, Ibadan: Programme on Ethnic and Federal Studies.
Albert, I.O., 2009, ‘An Alternative Explanation of Religious Fundamentalism in Northern Nigeria’, Peace and Conflict, Abuja: Heinrich Böll Stiftung, www.ng.boell.org/downloads/Alternative_Explanation_of_Religious_Fundamentalism_in_Nigeria(2).pdf.
Deutsch, K.W. et al., 1957, Political Community and the North Atlantic Area: International Organisation in the Light of Historical Experience, Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.
Ifabiyi, I.P., 2013, ‘Recharging the Lake Chad: The Hydro Politics of National Security and Regional Integration in Africa’, African Research Review 7 (3) July: 196–216.
Information Nigeria, 2015, ‘Boko Haram: Chad Yet To Deploy Troops To MNJTF – Defence Chief’, 20 November, https://www.informationng.com/2015/11/boko-Haram-chad-yet-to-deploy-troops-to-mnjtf-defence-chief.html.
Institute for Security Studies, 2015, ‘PSC to approve final plans for the regional fight against Boko Haram’, 25 February, http://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/psc-approve-final-plans-regional-fight-against-boko-Haram.
IRIN, 2002, ‘Nigeria: Border Issues around Lake Chad Cause Concern’, IRIN, www.irinnews.org/report/34503/nigeria-border-issues-around-lake-chad-cause-concern.
Johnson, I.J., 2014, ‘Inter-security Agencies Conflict at Nigeria’s Borders: A Challenge to Nigeria’s National Security’, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 4 (7) May: 211–16.
Kane, O., 2003, Muslim Modernity in Post Colonial Nigeria: A Study of the Society for the Removal of Innovation and Reinstatement of Tradition, Leiden and Boston: Brill.
Kindzeka, M.E., 2014, ‘Lake Chad Countries Agree on Military Task Force amid Insecurity’, 18 March, Voice of America News, http://www.voanews.com/a/lake-chad-countries-agree-on-military-task-force-amid-insecurity/1873650. html.
Kuptchan, C.A., 2001, ‘Empires and Geopolitical Competition: Gone for Good?’ in Crocker, C.A., Hampson, F.O. and Aall, P., eds, Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict, Washington DC: United States Institute Press.
Musa, S., 2013, ‘Baga: Multinational Joint Task Forces, BHTs and Host Community, Sahara Reporters, 7 May, http://saharareporters.com/2013/05/07/baga-multinational-joint-task-forces-bhts-and-host-community-lt-col-sagir-musa, accessed 4 June 2015.
Roggio, B., 2015, ‘Boko Haram Overruns Multinational Joint Task Force’, Long War Journal, 4 January, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/01/boko_Haram_overruns_1.php#ixzz3OGgsjjEN.
Tarlebbea, K.N. and Baroni, S., 2010, ‘The Cameroon and Nigeria Negotiation Process over the Contested Oil rich Bakassi Peninsula’, Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences, Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 2 (1): 198–210.
Théroux-Bénoni, L., 2015, ‘Without Buy-in from Nigeria on the Military Response and Beyond, No Lasting Solution to the Boko Haram Problem is Possible’, ISS Today, 10 February, https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-fight-against-boko-haram-tangled-up-in-nigerian-and-regional-politics.
Tilde, A.U., 2014, ‘Nigerian Military, Yesterday and Today’, Sahara Reporters, 10 September, saharareporters.com/2014/09/10/Nigerian-military-yesterday-and- today-dr-aliyu-u-tilde.
This Day, 2014, ‘Boko Haram: Nigerian Borders with Cameroon Closed Down’, 23 February.
Vanguard, 2012, ‘Obasanjo Visits Late Boko Haram’s Leader’s Family’, 16 September.
Vogt, M.A., 1987, ‘Strategies for Enhancement of the Security of Nigerian Borders’, Eagle Journal of the Nigerian Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigeria, Special Edition, 39–40.
Vogt, M.A., 1992, ‘Nigeria and Chad’ in Ate, B. and Akinterinwa, B., eds, Nigeria and Its Immediate Neighbours, Lagos: Nigeria Institute of International Affairs.