Lake Chad Region: International Non-Governmental Organization; Indigenes Count Economic Losses Amidst Conflict; Human Rights Abuse in Borno

Adeyemi Adekunle

Life will forever bear the weight of sorrow for Illyasu Garba, a 48-year-old rice farmer whose existence was irrevocably altered. His mind frequently returns to that fateful July morning in 2018 in Konduga, a remote community in Konduga Local Government Area nestled 34 kilometers away from Maiduguri, the state capital of Borno. Konduga, once a tranquil village, had become a relentless target for the ruthless terrorist group Boko Haram.

On that gloomy day, as the first rays of sunlight set to come to life, “I was making my way to the mosque for the early morning prayer; ‘’assubah’’ my two eldest sons had already ventured ahead to partake in the early hours prayers’’ Illyasu said. The calmness of the morning was too good to expect any contingencies. He was 10 minutes away when he heard a deafening boom that reverberated through the air, shattering the serenity of the moment. The world around him seemed to darken as he registered the horrifying sound.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he sprinted towards the source of the explosion, his heart pounding with dread. Other worshippers, equally gripped by fear, joined him in his desperate rush. As they approached the site, the scene that unfolded before their eyes was one of devastation and despair. Thick plumes of acrid smoke billowed into the sky, obscuring their vision, and the ground was littered with charred remains.

”Amidst the suffocating smoke and the agonizing cries of pain and despair, I screamed for their names amidst the thick smoke, yelling Ahmad and Umar, hoping they were still alive and hearty”, Illyasu said. He called out the names of his two sons, his voice trembling with hope against hope. He yearned for a miracle, hoping that they were still alive, untouched by the relentless cruelty of fate. Sympathizers, their hearts heavy with sorrow, also lent their voices to the desperate chorus, echoing the names of the missing young men, but the responses remained agonizingly silent. All they were hearing were the screams of agony, pain, and sorrow of unarmed innocents shouting for help from Allah at a difficult time. ‘’We yoo allah’’ filled the air as everyone struggled to see if they could save anyone still under the rubble of the blast.

A collective cry of anguish pierced the air as everyone present grappled with the heart-wrenching reality of the situation. The once peaceful village was now a scene of unimaginable horror, a testament to the indiscriminate brutality of terrorism.

Before the explosion, passersby had noticed a strange Hilux vehicle parked near the main exit—a vehicle that had raised no alarm until it was too late. That seemingly innocuous sight had concealed a malevolent intent that would forever haunt the memories of the survivors.

For Illyasu Garba, life would never be the same again. The echoes of that tragic morning would continue to reverberate through his existence, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the face of unspeakable terror.

Shrinking beauty amidst crisis

The Lake Chad Region is a vast area encompassing territories in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. It is named after Lake Chad, a significant water body that serves as a vital resource for millions of people in the region. The Lake Chad basin in the 1960s was the 6th largest lake in the world, providing livelihoods to over 70 million people across five countries.

The area is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecological features, including wetlands and marshes. Problems, however, erupt as the lake begins to shrink from its original size of 26,000km to less than 2000km, making earning a living a difficult task to embark upon.

As the water depletes and jobs become herculean tasks, anger, fear, and hunger evolve, with unorganized institutions coming to life. One of them was the deadliest armed group, tagged Boko Haram, whose various nefarious activities have sent over 30,000 people to their early graves and rendered over 2 million Nigerians internally displaced.

With the region plagued with conflicts leading to widespread human rights abuses and loss of livelihoods for the indigenous populations, rendering business transactions did not become difficult for only the indigenous, but offering humanitarian services turned into life-and-death escapades for international non-governmental organizations, rendering humanitarian services to over 2 million internally displaced persons in various parts of Borno State. Before the conflict, only a handful of humanitarian organizations operated in the state, supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts, primarily in education. However, the incursion of conflict dramatically altered the landscape for international NGOs. Mr. Elijah Adesina, Regional Coordinator of Logistics for Good Samaritan, a non-religious humanitarian organization, reflected on the grim economic costs of the conflict. He lamented, “Within the period of 2015–2021, 30% of our workforce resigned as a result of this insurgency. While 5% disappeared without a trace to date, Economically, within Borno State alone, this insurgency has taken over 160 million naira as an international NGO in Nigeria, ’’ he said.

“Before some of our staff resigned, some were maimed, abused, and kidnapped. 1 in 3 of our female staff had close shaves with death at the hands of Boko Haram,” Adesina said. The Lake Chad Region’s tale is one of enduring anguish, where the beauty of its landscape and the resilience of its people are overshadowed by the specter of conflict and the relentless pursuit of hope amidst unfathomable tragedy.

Recurrent threats and immeasurable costs

In January 2019, Yusuf and Abubakar were both friends who were into rice and fishing farming and selling. While on their way from Bama to Konduga, they got ambushed at Shatimari village by Boko Haram. Yusuf escaped, but not without a scar that will remain permanently. When escaping, a locally made gun was fired at him, which missed where he was hidden, but the dirt from the gun powder splashed into his eyes, and he is still fighting with partial blindness.

With all his savings gone in the ambush, not only did it become a difficult task for him to restart his business, but it was also a tall dream for him to pay for the bills that come with getting treatment for his eyes. Facing life is a task that is not easy to do. What remained a travesty to Umar was how someone could have his entire body but find it difficult to access it.

When speaking with this reporter, Yusuf recounted‘’ Before the conflict in Borno State, I was one of the biggest rice sellers in Konduga, Damboa, and Damasak. People from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad come around to patronize me here. I have rice farms in different areas like Konduga, Dusuman, and Zabalmari’’

The day Yusuf and his friend were ambushed in a commercial vehicle, I could not see properly. All I did was make sure that I would not be caught because I was so sure that I would not see the next day, so in any way I can, I must get to Konduga, because that was where I felt I could get help faster to Maiduguri despite not knowing or having full ideas of where I was’’. Hunger never crept into his mind while he struggled to stay alive. All that mattered to me was getting back home and being alive; anything beyond that was not crucial to me,’’ he explained. He got to Konduga on the third day after hiding in the bush for two days.

While he was battling for his life, another group of Boko Haram invaded Bama. ‘’They shot two fishermen and went away with two, a month after they were released, with a stern warning never to be seen fishing again, ”Yusuf said.

These heinous activities carried out by this deadly armed group, ‘’Boko Haram, are not only soiling the economic status of agrarian communities in the Lake Chad region, whose key livelihoods have no substitute, but they are also further deepening the economic deficit that the region has had for over a decade. All around, fears are still buried in the bowels of communities in Borno State.

Before conflict ravaged Konduga, Illyasu Garba was a large scale farmer and the biggest employer of labor in the community. ‘’The average number of people that work on my farms per day was 20 people, and they get paid daily; they also get feed too. All these people also have families that they feed,’’ he said. He still has the full picture of the day three laborers were brought down by the guns of the deadly armed group. The event that unleashed terror on him that day will continue to linger till time immemorial.

‘’They came in a camaderie way that none of us to date do not understand. It was after they left that I realized what had happened to me; it was just less than a year after I lost two sons. They went away with my four laborers with a stern warning of never to be seen farming’’. ’’As I am talking to you now, those boys(Boko Haram) are still on my farm, and there is no amount of money that you will give me that will make me take a step to go on such a journey; this is not someone else’s land; this is my own land’’ he lamented.

Bama, Konduga,Biu,Damasak, Damboa, and Baga are parts of towns that were not spared in various attacks carried out by Boko Haram, and in all of these attacks, no one was spared from the venom of the deadly armed organization, including international non-governmental organizations rendering humanitarian services in Borno State. And no matter the time they visit, that they do not kill; women get raped, men are maimed and assaulted, and houses are looted or burned down. Because their assailants believed they were saboteurs to their missions of spreading inhumanity among humans. Despite Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Convention, which protects civilians and humanitarian organizations, In the context of non-international armed conflicts taking place within the territory of any of the High Contracting Parties, a fundamental commitment to humanity is invoked. Regardless of one’s race, color, religion, sex, birth, wealth, or any other such criteria, every individual not actively engaged in hostilities, including members of the armed forces who have surrendered or those incapacitated by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other circumstances, must be treated with unwavering compassion.

These acts encompass, but are not limited to, the taking of life and inflicting harm, such as murder, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture. Hostage-taking and any form of degrading or humiliating treatment are also categorically prohibited. Moreover, the administration of sentences and executions without a proper judgment from a duly constituted court, adhering to the recognized judicial safeguards, is strictly forbidden.

These stipulations underscore the fundamental principles of human dignity and respect, even in the midst of the most challenging and turbulent circumstances, to safeguard the well-being and rights of all individuals affected by such conflicts.

Scaling through the lake without a paddle

In the heart of the Lake Chad region, where conflict has cast a long shadow over the pursuit of peace and development, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) find themselves navigating treacherous waters. The toll of violence on these organizations is staggering, not only in terms of the lives lost but also the immense economic challenges they face. However, within these turbulent waves lies a beacon of hope, a roadmap to brighter prospects in the pursuit of humanitarian aid and lasting peace.

At the forefront of the challenges faced by international NGOs operating in the Lake Chad region is the ever-present threat of violence against their personnel. To pave the way for effective humanitarian efforts, addressing this threat is a pivotal step.

One approach that demands immediate attention is bolstering the presence of security forces in the region. The Lake Chad basin is notorious for its instability, with various armed groups vying for control. By increasing their security presence, international NGOs can create safer environments for their workers and projects, reducing the risks they face.

Forging alliances with armed groups to establish safe corridors for international NGO workers is a strategy that cannot be ignored. While this may seem unconventional, it promises to safeguard the invaluable missions carried out by these organizations. Safe passage for humanitarian workers is essential for the delivery of aid to those in need, and dialogue with armed groups could hold the key to achieving this.

Streamlining operational costs

In the face of conflict, international NGOs often find themselves grappling with soaring operational costs. These financial burdens can severely limit their ability to provide critical assistance to vulnerable populations. Therefore, finding innovative ways to streamline expenditures is imperative.

One judicious approach involves negotiating reduced security expenditures. The funds allocated for security measures, while essential, can sometimes become exorbitant. NGOs must engage in dialogue with local authorities and international partners to find more cost-effective solutions that do not compromise the safety of their workers.

Furthermore, exploring innovative methods to alleviate the cost of living for NGO personnel operating in conflict zones is integral. Housing, transportation, and other daily expenses can be astronomical in such areas. Creative solutions, such as shared housing arrangements or partnerships with local businesses, can help ease this financial burden.

Sustaining Financial Support from Donors

The lifeblood of international NGOs is the financial support they receive from donors. However, the volatile nature of conflict zones often creates uncertainties that can deter potential contributors. Ensuring a steady flow of financial support is crucial for the continued operation of these organizations.

To achieve this, it is paramount to ensure that donors are well-informed about the security measures in place to protect their contributions. Transparency in how funds are utilized and the steps taken to safeguard them is key to building trust between donors and international NGOs. Donors must have confidence that their money is making a real difference on the ground.

Moreover, cultivating trust between benefactors and the NGOs they support is an ongoing effort. Establishing strong communication channels and reporting mechanisms can help donors feel connected to the work being done. It is essential to demonstrate not only the impact of their contributions but also the resilience of the organization in the face of adversity.

By addressing the multifaceted economic ramifications of conflict for international NGOs operating in the Lake Chad region, a promising avenue toward enhanced humanitarian aid delivery emerges. This, in turn, serves as a catalyst for fostering the conducive conditions necessary for lasting peace.

The economic challenges faced by international NGOs are not isolated issues but are deeply intertwined with the broader context of conflict in the Lake Chad region. By addressing these challenges head-on, a ripple effect can be created, positively impacting the entire region.

As the world watches the Lake Chad region, it is essential that international NGOs receive the support they need to continue their vital work. By doing so, will not only empower these organizations to fulfill their missions but also contribute to the creation of a more stable and peaceful future for the people of this troubled region. In the face of adversity, we must remember that the pursuit of peace and development is a cause worth scaling through the lake without a paddle.

This report was completed with support from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development and The Open Society Foundations