The Split in Boko Haram and Its Impact for the Lake Chad Basin Region

The Islamist group Boko Haram (BH) was founded in the early 2000s and less than two decades has transformed from a “Nigerian” movement into regional one. Tactical, strategic ideological differences between leaders of BH have repeatedly led to its splits separate factions; most serious occurred 2016, when split Islamic State West Africa Province Jamaatu Ahl-is-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, latter being still referred as “Boko Haram” for convenience. present paper examines reasons BH, goals military tactics factions, prospects development security situation region Lake Chad basin (LCB), where armed conflict is fueled by large-scale poverty, socio-economic political marginalization, ineffectiveness local authorities against background intertribal tensions massive migration. LCB now become huge human reservoir jihadist recruitment. further complicated fact that significant portion population supports Islamists, while majority locals are targeted them seek leave their homes. authors note division factions made it more difficult forces conduct anti-terrorist operations, governments negotiate cease fires or retrieve hostages, although, simultaneously, certain decline level violence weakening influence Islamists on region.