The Governors of various regions in Cameroon and some States in Nigeria, and state and security officials discussed the security of their shared border during a two-day meeting in mid-July in Yaoounde.

 

 

Five regions of Cameroon share a border with Nigeria, including the Adamawa region which has two divisions on the border. This proximity often gives rise to conflict.

 

 

“Sometimes, we witness agro-pastoral conflicts” says Kildadl Taguieke, Governor of Cameroon’s Adamawa region.

 

 

“When Nigerians come into our territory” Kildadl Taguieke explains” We try our best to be welcoming and treat them well until things calm down and they return home”. Regarding cattle, the number of incidents has dropped, which is proof that both countries have been vigilant about our security”

 

 

Since October 2016, the North-west and South-west regions of Cameroon in the anglophone area have been gripped by a crisis that has affected Nigeria which has seen an influx of Cameroonian refugees and displaced people in Taraba State.

 

 

The influx of people has given rise to a high crime wave.

 

“We need to make things difficult for criminals” said Dayan Yiase, Permanent Secretary of Special and Internal Affairs of Taraba State in Nigeria.

 

 

“We took the secessionists to the immigration headquarters” Dagari Yiase​ adds “The Nigerian government sent them back to Cameroon. You can ask your government; they will confirm what we are telling you. We had reported this issue to them”

 

 

Terrorist attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram, hostage taking and arms trafficking are some of the most common security challenges plaguing the border between Cameroon and Nigeria

 

 

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Lake Chad: Meeting of governors from neighboring provinces

 

The governors of eight transboundary regions in the vicinity of Lake Chad met for 48 hours in Niamey, Niger. The main item on the agenda was peace-building and sustainable development.

 

 

For the second time since 2018, the governors of the eight Lake Chad regions that are most affected by the Boko Haram insurgency met in a 48-hour meeting in Niamey, Niger. Many of the participants say the Boko Haram crisis has taken huge proportions and its causes are complex.

 

 

First of all, there is a structural deficit in terms of development, as well as a breach of the social contract giving way to a violent insurgency of extremists and lastly an irreversible environmental disaster looming on the horizon. Boko Haram has slipped out of control on the four countries’ borders, and therefore requires an adequate regional response.

 

 

2.5 million displaced people

 

 

According to the United Nations regional representative in West Africa and the Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Niamey forum offers a roadmap for overcoming the crisis. The people of the Lake Chad Basin are calling for tangible action and Boko Haram must be defeated, he added. However military action alone will not suffice says an official of the Adamawa State in Nigeria. He underscores the need to integrate repentant elements of Boko Haram, engage the local communities and move quickly towards development.

 

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