Implementation of Regional Stabilization Strategy
The four countries bordering Lake Chad, namely Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria are facing unprecedented challenges compounded by repeated violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups. The resulting instability has slowed down economic growth and compounded existing environmental and developmental challenges in the Lake Chad Basin region.
To ensure stabilization of the region, on 30 August 2018, the Council of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) adopted the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery and Resilience (RSS) of the Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Basin Region. The RSS was endorsed by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union. The strategy elaborates an overarching regional approach in dealing with the deep-rooted causes of under-development and the drivers of violent extremism and conflicts in the Lake Chad region. It is being implemented in eight targeted areas of the four Member States. These are:
- Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in Nigeria;
- Diffa Region in Niger;
- Region du Lac and Hajder-Lamis Region in Chad; and
- The Far North and North Region of Cameroon.
The RSS is structured around nine inter-related strategic pillars of intervention that define the broad scope of work to achieve its objectives. These include military support, provision of humanitarian assistance and key interventions to secure early recovery and longer-term resilience. The nine strategic pillars are:
- Political Cooperation
- Security and Human Rights
- Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation, Reinsertion and Reintegration of Persons associated with Boko Haram
- Humanitarian Assistance
- Governance and the Social Contract
- Socio-Economic Recovery and Environmental Sustainability
- Education, Learning and Skills
- Prevention of Violent Extremism and Building Peace
- Empowerment and Inclusion of Women and Youth
The stabilization strategy is a product of broad consultations among experts of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, African Union Commission, relevant agencies of the United Nations and other stakeholders. Its implementation is being led by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), which is mandated to manage Lake Chad and other shared water resources in its basin, preserve the ecosystems of the Lake Chad Basin and promote regional integration, peace and security throughout the basin. More on the RSS
