Emergence and Trend of Displaced Persons within the Context of Trans-Border Insecurity in the Far North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Trans-border insecurity remains a major preoccupation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and particularly in the Far North Region of Cameroon. The porous borders of states in the Lake Chad region has enhance trans-border insecurity stemming from the illicit movement of people, goods and arms leading to the displacement of persons across borders. This is the case of the Far North Region of Cameron hosting displaced persons in two of its six divisions (Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga) due to the nefarious activities of Boko Haram terrorist sect. The study employed a mixed research design made up of the descriptive and quantitative designs in accordance with the stated objectives. This design permitted the collection of pertinent data from both secondary and primary sources. Secondary information was obtained from libraries, archives of institutions such as end of year reports of local NGOs and other international institutions working with displaced persons. From the libraries of ENS and National Polytechnic Maroua, information on trans-border insecurity and the management of displaced persons were obtained from text books and already defended dissertations. Results revealed that, the categories of displaced persons in area include; IDP (50%), refugees (36.4%) and returnees (13.6%). The numbers of attacks reached its peak in 2014 and Mayo Sava and Mayo Tsanaga recorded over 250 attacks. Results also show fluctuating trend of displacements between 2012 and 2022. The years 2012 to 2015 was marked by increasing wave of displaced persons with IDPs recording 77,695, out of Camp refugees 6870 and returnees 10,316. Between 2017 and 2018, there was relative calm as the number of displaced (IDPs) dropped rapidly to 21,312 persons while the number of returnees increased to 4,397. Out of Camp refugees also recorded a drop in numbers that is 32,669 people. Between 2019 and 2020, a 7.8% increase in displaced persons was witnessed in Mayo Sava while Mayo Tsanaga registered an increase of 3.9%. Between April 2019 and March 2021, the numbers of attacks increased with IDPs surging to 341,000 while returnees in 2021 also rose to 124,300 persons. Therefore, the number of attacks greatly affects displacements and response strategies must engaged local leaders.