Intercommunal violence, insurgency, and agropastoral conflict in the Lake Chad Basin region

Abstract

The Lake Chad Basin region has experienced a steep increase in violence and instability since 2010, associated with ethnic identity conflict, ecological degradation, and insurgency. This article explores the association between the activities of insurgency groups–focussing on the perpetration of violence against civilians and state actors–and agropastoral conflict, against a background of ecological stresses in this region. The article finds a pattern of close spatial and temporal proximity between agropastoral conflict and insurgency violence, suggesting that there is a significant intersection and overlap between socio-economic grievances, compounded by ecological stresses, and violent instability.