Franco-Nigerian détente? Nigeria, France and the Francophone states of the Lake Chad region in the era of the Boko Haram terrorism

Abstract

ABSTRACT France’s power projection in West Africa was perceived as a credible threat to Nigeria’s national security and leadership aspiration in the sub-region. In recent times, however, Paris’ deepening engagements with the Sahelian states in the context of the counterterrorism fully aligns with Nigeria’s national interest. It is against this background that this paper interrogates the importance of counterterrorism operations in enhancing collaborative relationship between Nigeria, France and the Francophone states in Lake Chad region. Drawing on interview data and extant literature, the study makes three arguments. First, the earlier rivalry between Nigeria and its Francophone states was critical to the Boko Haram resilience, especially in its formative years. Second, the trans-border insurgency of the sect, particularly following the declaration of the caliphate in the region, was central to the renewed security partnership among the affected states, culminating in the re-invigoration of the MNJTF. Finally, the study argues that the cooperation against terrorism by France and Nigeria is positively redefining relations between the two powers. Despite the cooperation, security crisis ignited by the group remains pervasive in the region, and hence the suggestion for the rejigging of MNJTF to incorporate socio-economic anti-terrorist dimensions to address the worsening developmental condition in the region.