Niger Republic has suspended its participation in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), while Chad has threatened to withdraw.
Established by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) in March 1994, the MNJTF—comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and later Benin—aims to tackle insecurity in the region.
Originally hindered by mistrust among member states, the force was revitalised in 2014 to counter Boko Haram’s rise, backed by the African Union.
Despite successes in curbing Boko Haram’s territorial spread, recent years have seen tensions weaken the force, even as jihadist threats persist.
In 2024, Boko Haram attacks escalated across the region, with Chad losing over 40 soldiers in Barkaram in October and mounting deadly assaults in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
Chad, following the October attack, launched its own Operation Haskanite, accusing other MNJTF members of insufficient support.
Meanwhile, Niger’s inactivity since its July 2023 coup, particularly in hotspots like Baroua, raises concerns about the group’s cohesion.
The MNJTF’s internal challenges—ranging from troop shortages to limited financial resources—also hindered its effectiveness.
Experts urged regional cooperation to strengthen the force and avoid a collapse like that of the G5 Sahel, which disbanded after inter-country disputes.
Upcoming meetings, such as the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum and LCBC defence ministers’ summit, are critical to resolving grievances and sustaining the MNJTF’s operations. International support remains vital to prevent a resurgence of violent extremism in the region.
