Twenty‑four years after its emergence, the group known as Boko Haram continues to sow insecurity across the Sahel. Officially called 'Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad', it defines itself as followers of the Sunna called to preaching and jihad, but its nickname mainly stems from its virulent rejection of modern education and Western way of life.
The movement was founded by Muhammad Yusuf, a preacher from northeastern Nigeria. His death in 2009 paved the way for Abubakar Shekau, who took the helm and escalated the violence. Under his leadership, Boko Haram solidified its bases, turning an ideological struggle into an armed campaign against security forces and civilians.
The group's main stronghold remains Borno State, in the heart of northeastern Nigeria. There, fighters have built camps, seized control of local communities and forced thousands of people to flee their villages. This occupation has turned the area into a training and recruitment ground, where state presence is often limited.
In recent years, Nigerian army offensives have reclaimed several territories and attacks have markedly decreased. Despite these gains, vast swathes remain uninhabited, and fear of another incursion persists among local populations. Insecurity continues to hinder the return of displaced persons and to obstruct reconstruction projects.
At the same time, Boko Haram has expanded its influence to other Nigerian states and has strengthened its ties with the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), the regional branch of the terrorist organization operating around the Lake Chad basin. This alliance has supplied the group with logistical and ideological support, boosting its capacity to conduct cross‑border operations.
Why hasn't the group been eradicated? Several factors converge: an ideology that resonates with marginalized youth, weak local institutions that fail to provide educational and economic alternatives, and porous borders that facilitate the movement of fighters. The lack of an integrated strategy that combines security, development and reconciliation leaves the movement's roots intact.
For Cameroon, Nigeria's neighbour, the persistence of Boko Haram represents a constant alert. Stability in northeastern Nigeria directly affects the security of Cameroon's border regions, where refugee flows and trans‑national threats can spread. Strengthened regional cooperation, coupled with social inclusion programmes, appears the most realistic path to contain this scourge and offer a safer future for Sahelian populations.
