Operational efficiency of the multinational joint task force and peace in the Lake Chad region

Abstract

The Lake Chad Basin (LCB) countries created the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in 2012 to address the Boko Haram crisis, which started in Nigeria in 2002. Recognizing that the problem was regional, not just Nigerian, the countries of the Lake Chad Region (LCR) - Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria - agreed to improve cooperation. In 2015, the MNJTF headquarters was attacked by Boko Haram, which led to increased military responses from the LCR countries. However, almost a decade later, the MNJTF has not achieved its goal of eliminating the Boko Haram threat due to challenges such as funding, equipment, and structure. These challenges have undermined peace in the region and diverted attention from other threats faced by LCR countries. This research proposes measures such as appropriate funding, equipment, and structure to enhance the effectiveness of the MNJTF. Implementing these recommendations is expected to contribute to peace and stability in the Lake Chad Region and Africa as a whole.