Rights-based disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration as a measure to address security risks posed by vigilante groups in the Lake Chad Basin

Abstract

Since 2009, Boko Haram insurgency has become a serious challenge to security and safety in the Lake Chad Basin. Despite the robust military response against Boko Haram and its splinter factions by Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad, the group has remained resilient. It has continued to conduct attacks causing the deaths of thousands and displacement of millions of people. Due to the inadequacies of security responses by the four Lake Chad Basin states, vigilante groups have emerged to protect their communities through combating Boko Haram. While the vigilante groups have been celebrated for turning the tide against the insurgency, there have been concerns about the future of the vigilante groups. This is based on the fear that they may pose security risks to their communities in future if they turn to ordinary criminal activities or organised crime. This article explores the reliance on vigilante groups against Boko Haram in Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Niger. It also discusses the security concerns about the future of vigilante groups, and finally considers rights-based disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of vigilante groups as a potentially valuable measure to address the security risks posed by the vigilantes to their communities.