April 15, 2015
In early March 2015, Abubakar Shekau, leader of the revolutionary insurgent group Boko Haram, swore bay’ah, or allegiance, to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). They accepted this pledge a few days later. This move focused international attention toward the Nigerian-based organization, one of the most violent extremist groups currently in existence. The United States has been offering support to the government of Nigeria for several years to counter Boko Haram, but to limited success. In recent months, the African Union (AU) has drafted a plan for a multinational force to counter the group. Cameroon, which Boko Haram uses as a staging ground for planning and carrying out attacks, will be a key member of this force. Considering the willingness of the government of Cameroon to adopt a whole-of-government approach and the threat Boko Haram poses to Cameroon’s stability and that of the entire region, increased United States support to Cameroon could prove fruitful both in stopping Boko Haram’s expansion and ultimately defeating the group.
It has been six years since the death of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf at the hands of Nigerian security forces launched a devastating insurgency that has taken the lives of thousands of civilians and displaced millions (including 800,000 Nigerian children). This destructive influence has not been limited to Nigeria: the entire Lake Chad Basin has suffered as a result. Boko Haram has used Lake Chad to run drugs and stage attacks. Trade in the region has suffered, and tourism has all but dried up. This, along with cross-border attacks into neighboring countries such as Cameroon, has brought the problem home for bordering nations once content to regard the issue as uniquely Nigerian.
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