Boko Haram: The Regional Context Margot Shorey – Counter Boko Haram Policy Analyst U.S. Department of State

Overview Who are Boko Haram and why do we care? Phases of Boko Haram in Nigeria Regional Expansion Regional Approach & The MNJTF Focus on Chad U.S. Support to Counter Boko Haram

Who are Boko Haram and why do we care? The group calls itself : Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, or “people committed to the propagation of the Prophet's teachings and jihad” Founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf Current leader is Abubakar Shekau Preaches radical Islam as an alternative to the Nigerian State, including Sharia Law for all of Nigeria Over 10,000 killed and 1.5 million displaced due to Boko Haram violence Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and its largest economy U.S. designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization in 2013 Boko Haram has been linked to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb In March 2015 Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS, which ISIS accepted

Phases of Boko Haram in Nigeria 2002 – 2009: Development of Ideology 2009 – 2012: Death of Mohammad Yusuf  Expansion of Boko Haram and Violence 2012 – 2014: Continued violence, Kidnapping, Break with Ansaru 2014 – Early 2015: Chibok kidnapping, ‘Holding territory’, International attention Present: Regional response ; Continued violence

Regional Expansion Recent Attacks outside Nigeria (2015) Regional Challenges CHAD: Dual suicide attack in N’Djamena, June 15 Market suicide attack in N’Djamena, July 11 CAMEROON: Suicide attacks in Maroua, July 22 and 25 Cross border attacks, kidnappings – frequent NIGER Prison raid in Diffa, July 12 Boko Haram allegiances (AQIM and ISIS) Refugee and IDP crisis Food insecurity Economic impact Longstanding regional tensions (Nigeria/Cameroon) Hot pursuit across international borders Impact of challenges in Nigeria on rest of Africa

Regional Approach and the MNJTF Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Nigeria-specific approach could force Boko Haram deeper into Lake Chad Basin neighbors Nigeria seemed unwilling and unable to combat Boko Haram alone, but Buhari seems committed Need for joint operational planning Intelligence Sharing African Union approved regional force 8,700 troops contributed by Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin Headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad Nigerian Commander UN Security Council Presidential Statement on July 28, 2015 condemns Boko Haram, supports MNJFT Operational and capacity questions remain

Focus on Chad Important force deployed in Mali and against Boko Haram Special Anti-Terrorist Group (SATG) has received US and French training and is very capable Providing 3,000 troops to MNJTF N’Djamena is closest capital city to Boko Haram President Deby in power since 1990, uncertain succession plan Politicization of Armed Forces Socio-economic drivers of extremism Complex relations with neighbors

U.S. Support to Counter Boko Haram Interagency Strategy to Counter Boko Haram approved in October 2014 Renewed relations with Nigeria Equipment, advising, training, logistics support to MNJTF contributing countries Strategy focuses on supporting Lake Chad Basin countries to address the drivers of Boko Haram