Counter Insurgency and Regional Security: An Assessment of Multinational Joint Task Force Operation in Lake Chad Region

Abstract

Insurgent groups in the Lake Chad Region have exacerbated the safety and insecurity crisis, resulting in an unimaginable number of deaths, property destruction, and damage to other social infrastructure within the countries. The networks of these terrorist groups in Lake Chad Basin Commission member countries (LCBC), including Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, andNiger, have continued to undermine several military efforts to contain these activities. In order to mitigate this challenge, LCBC reactivated the Multinational Joint Task Force Operations (MNJTF) in 2015. This paper analyses the MNJTF Counter-Insurgency (COIN) efforts in the LCR for enhanced regional security. The analyses suggest that COIN operations by the MNJTF in the Lake Chad Region have recorded tremendous successes. However, some challenges are militating against MNJTF efforts. These included an incomprehensible legal framework for operations, the absence ofa well-defined command and control structure, weak institutional capacity, difficult terrain, and adverse weather conditions. The paper suggests strategies to mitigate the challenges. This includes a review of the legal framework, the establishment of a HQ Joint Operation Coordination Centre, the formulation of a Joint Operation Doctrine, and the establishment of a joint COIN training school. The study concluded by suggesting several strategies to address the challenges, such as the African Union seeking financial, training, and equipment support from international communities and development partners for COIN operations.