The International Forum on the Development of the Lake Chad Basin, held in N’Djamena, Chad, from November 5-7, 2024, was a critical juncture in the dialogue surrounding the region’s future. Hosted by the Chadian Government, the forum brought together policymakers, civil society representatives, and experts from across the Lake Chad Basin to discuss pressing issues—security, governance, and socioeconomic development—against the backdrop of a rapidly changing climate. As one of the three panelist for the technical workshop on the Inclusive Management of Natural Resource Conflicts, I had the privilege of offering insights on one of the most pressing issues facing the region: the sustainable management of shared resources like land and water, which have historically been sources of conflict among the Basin’s member states—Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.
For these nations, natural resources are both the lifeblood of their economies and the source of persistent tension. In a world where environmental stresses are exacerbating competition for dwindling resources, this tension is palpable in every corner of the region. With Lake Chad shrinking and arable land becoming scarcer, conflicts between fishermen, farmers, and herders have become commonplace, sometimes escalating into violent clashes. In this context, my discussion focused on how the inclusive management of these conflicts could pave the way for more sustainable, cooperative governance frameworks, especially when considered through the interconnected lenses of security, governance, and socioeconomic development.
A Shrinking Resource, a Growing Divide
The Lake Chad Basin is one of the most ecologically and economically significant regions in Africa, but it is also one of the most vulnerable. For centuries, the lake has sustained millions of people through its vast water resources, enabling agriculture, fishing, and pastoralism. However, climate change and human-induced pressures have caused the lake’s size to shrink dramatically—by more than 90% over the last six decades. As a result, those who rely on the lake for their livelihood are forced to compete more fiercely for dwindling resources. The environmental stress exacerbates an already volatile political landscape where borders are porous and ethnic and communal identities frequently clash over resource control.
The situation, however, is more than just a matter of competition for land and water. It is also a governance crisis. For decades, policies have been either too centralized or too disconnected from local realities, leaving communities without the means to manage resources cooperatively. In many ways, governance models have either mimicked foreign systems or imposed solutions that are divorced from the unique challenges faced by the Lake Chad countries. This is where my ideas during the forum sought to bring fresh perspectives, particularly on how inclusive, bottom-up approaches could transform governance structures in a way that reflects the local realities.
The Role of Positive Deviance in Conflict Resolution
One of the key ideas I shared in the technical workshop was the concept of positive deviance—the notion that some individuals, groups, or communities, in the face of adversity, manage to find successful solutions to problems that the majority struggles to resolve. These are the “outliers,” the individuals or communities who, despite facing the same difficult conditions, manage to thrive by doing things differently. Their methods, although unconventional, offer valuable lessons in innovation and cooperation.
In the context of Lake Chad, there are examples of positive deviance in resource management. In several communities around the Basin, local leaders have found ways to peacefully resolve disputes between farmers and herders or between fishing communities that share limited access to water. In northeastern Nigeria, for example, local councils have introduced resource-sharing agreements that ensure fair access to land and water, helping to avert violence that often accompanies scarcity. These are not perfect solutions, nor are they immune to the broader geopolitical tensions in the region.
Local Governance and the Power of Inclusivity
Beyond the idea of positive deviance, another major takeaway from the forum was the importance of inclusive governance in natural resource management. Too often, decisions regarding resource allocation are made by top-down, centralized systems that ignore or even marginalize the voices of the very people who depend on these resources for their livelihoods. In a region like the Lake Chad Basin, with its complex ethnic and social fabric, this kind of governance has proven to be ineffective, if not outright dangerous.
Inclusive management means more than simply involving local communities in decision-making—it requires decentralizing authority and empowering local actors to take charge of resource governance. By involving local farmers, herders, fishers, and indigenous groups, we can ensure that governance structures are not only more responsive but also more resilient. These communities often possess intricate, locally embedded knowledge that could be crucial in addressing environmental and resource-related issues. This deep local knowledge, if integrated into formal governance processes, could improve decision-making, mitigate conflicts, and support the sustainable management of resources.
The Dangers of Isomorphic Mimicry
While inclusivity and positive deviance offer a path forward, we must also be wary of the phenomenon known as isomorphic mimicry—the imitation of successful governance models without a deep understanding of their local applicability. In many cases, governments in the Lake Chad Basin have sought to replicate governance models from other regions or countries without considering the unique characteristics of their own populations, histories, and environmental contexts.
For example, several countries in the region have adopted water management policies modeled after those from Western countries or international bodies, but these policies are often ill-suited to the realities on the ground. They overlook traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms or fail to recognize the centrality of informal power structures in local governance. Instead of fostering collaboration, they may inadvertently reinforce divisions.
In my position, I argued that the Lake Chad Basin must be cautious of these pitfalls and instead focus on evolving governance frameworks that are rooted in local knowledge, while still being open to global best practices.
A Hopeful Path Forward
Despite these challenges, there is reason for optimism. The Lake Chad Basin countries have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity—whether through community-led initiatives or regional cooperation through the Lake Chad Basin Commission. My optimistic vision for the region is that, through inclusive governance, the Basin can become a model for how natural resource conflicts can be resolved in a way that promotes peace, security, and prosperity.
At the forum, I suggested that regional organizations, such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission, have a crucial role to play in facilitating cooperation across borders. By fostering dialogue between national and local stakeholders, the Commission can help to create frameworks that respect both the sovereignty of individual states and the shared nature of the region’s resources. This kind of approach is essential not only for resource management but also for enhancing social cohesion, improving food security, and advancing socioeconomic development in the Basin.
Through the collective will of governments, civil society, and local communities, the Lake Chad Basin can begin to rewrite its story—not as a region mired in conflict, but as one where inclusive management and cooperation transform the very fabric of its society. Whether these ideas become reality will depend on the commitment of all stakeholders to embrace change, adapt, and collaborate for the common good.
