This study is part of a series of research and policy papers developed by the Regional Stabilization Secretariat to contribute to a body of knowledge on stabilization. It includes research on crime-terror nexus, community-based reconciliation and reintegration, weapons and ammunitions management in Lake Chad Basin, the role of the Police in Stabilization, among others.
The 3rd Governor’s Forum held in October 2021 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, also recommended Lake Chad Basin (LCB) countries, the governments, and administrations of the eight most affected states/territories, to continue their practice of joint reflection and information-sharing as ways of enhancing good practices on cross-border collaboration in the region. These exchanges of local ideas and practices about what works and what does not, is essential for hastening and expanding the success so far enjoyed in the implementation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy (RSS) in the region.
The study on good practices and lessons learned on civil military cooperation (CIMIC) in the Lake Chad Basin Region is therefore, in line with the above framework. Information provided in this study was collected through three data collection approaches. The first one was a desk review of documents produced by CIMIC Advisors, broader CIMIC and CMCOORD doctrine related materials, quarterly and annual reports from the Regional Stabilization Facility and Regional Stabilization Secretariat, field mission reports, monitoring reports, independent community analysis and perception documents and studies. The second set of information was collected through email interactions, semistructured interviews, focus group discussions with youth and women representatives and other stakeholders including humanitarian actors working in the Lake Chad Basin area. Finally, field missions were conducted in Diffa (Niger), Hadjer Lamis and Bagasola (Chad) to collect additional primary data.
Information collected during this research has shown that it’s important for CIMIC Advisors to mobilize four key elements: develop a strong understanding of the context; identify key stakeholders to successfully increase CIMIC; develop a good engagement approach; and build confidence and forge an efficient collaboration and coordination strategy, while taking into consideration the speed, scale and policy guidance required for the stabilization intervention. Good practices examples related to hard and soft interventions on CIMIC cooperation have been highlighted in the study. While support to security forces with non-lethal equipment such as vehicles or motorbikes is a common trend across national windows, the study emphasised on capacities which should be developed by CIMIC Advisors, as well as community based activities aiming at building confidence between security forces and local population.
Read the Study here.
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