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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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