Since 2009 Boko Haram have remained a threat first to Nigeria's state and then some west African state. What started in Yobe state of Nigeria to Maiduguri of Borno state Nigeria have spear to Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republic. The affected west African states have established a joint military counter terrorism campaign coded Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF). MJTF since creation have not bring peace and security. What counter terrorism structure can bring peace and security in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republic? What should the contributions of each member state?
Dear Shehu Amila Enoch , counter terrorism should rely on a combination of strategies and not only military force. It should elaborate strategies related to local development to erode the public support to those non-state actors.
Regards
I agree with Mourad Aty that development is essential. However, when it comes to Nigeria, and the contiguous countries where Kobo Haram operates from, I think military capacity is weak. There are many ungovernable spaces in the region the security services do not have access to, because of logistical constraints. While military responses are not the best counterterrorism tools, beefing up military expenditure will go along way. For instance, Nigeria has one of the least military spendings as a share of GDP, with 2017 spending being 0.41% of GDP. Taking Nigeria’s security challenges into account, military spending is inadequate, and much of this allocation often serve patronage interest rather than support the security services. Effective governance will also help.
Thanks for your responses: Aty, Alaaidi, Braun, Gorshkov and Banini. The goal of Boko Haram is to establish caliphate in the region (Northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad). Lack of development, poverty and bad governance among others are Boko Haram drivers. Addressing the root cause of Boko Haram is key to solving it, but the research ‘cross border terrorism and collective security: case of Boko Haram’ is gear to recommend a collective security for the affected states. Your view is highly welcome.
There's need for synergy among the security forces of each state. The states should eschew corruption and provide employment for the teeming jobless youths after graduating from colleges. States should legislate against religious extremism.