Address Challenges Facing Lake Chad Basin Now, CSOs Tell 4 Countries 

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have called on Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon to address the challenges facing the Lake Chad Basin.

The CSOs welcomed the Fifth Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, which was hosted in Maiduguri, and commended Governor Mai Mala Buni’s emergence as the forum’s new chairman.

The CSOs are the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International (Nigeria), Amnesty International (Nigeria), and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG).

In a statement signed by their leader, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the CSOs emphasised that the milestone underscores the collective commitment of regional leaders to addressing the multi-faceted challenges affecting the Lake Chad Basin, particularly security, climate change, economic development, and humanitarian crises.

“We recognise and appreciate the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) for their unwavering support of this initiative and their broader commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development across Africa,” the CSOs stated.

“Their role in strengthening regional governance, enhancing cross-border cooperation, and facilitating conflict resolution is critical in addressing the deep-rooted crises affecting communities in the Lake Chad Basin.”

“At a time when tensions among ECOWAS member states pose a significant threat to regional stability, we urge all stakeholders to prioritise diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation over conflict.

“A divided region weakens the collective ability to confront common challenges such as terrorism, climate change, and economic hardship. The Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum should serve as a model for regional cooperation, where shared interests outweigh individual political differences,” the organisations noted.

The CSOs further observed that “The persistence of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency continues to threaten millions of lives across Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. While military efforts have played a crucial role, sustainable peace will only be achieved through stronger regional coordination, intelligence-sharing, and investment in community-led stabilisation programs. The forum must continue to push for better governance, socio-economic opportunities, and rehabilitation programs to counter extremist recruitment and reintegrate former combatants.”

“Addressing the impact of climate change, CISLAC highlighted that “The shrinking of Lake Chad, which has lost 90% of its original size since the 1960s, has led to water scarcity, displacement, and food insecurity, exacerbating regional conflicts. CSOs call for urgent climate adaptation policies, sustainable water management, and increased investment in climate resilience programs to protect the livelihoods of communities that depend on the lake. The international community must do more to support the region in adapting to the devastating impact of climate change.”

For the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum to achieve its full potential, the CSOs emphasise the need for “stronger governance, sustainable funding mechanisms, and reinforced international support.” The organisation further advocates for “increased financial commitments from national governments, development partners, and regional bodies to implement peacebuilding and development projects.”

Additionally, the groups call for “stronger political will to implement cross-border security agreements and ensure the free movement of people and goods within the region. Removing trade barriers is also necessary to boost regional free trade, enhance economic integration, and create sustainable jobs, reducing youth vulnerability to radicalisation.”

CSOs urged all stakeholders—governments, regional organisations, civil societies, and international partners—to support the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum as a vital platform for regional peace, stability, and economic transformation. “Now is the time for renewed commitment, greater accountability, and inclusive governance to ensure that no community in the Lake Chad region is left behind,” the organisation concluded.