Cameroon is set to strengthen its security presence in the Far North with the creation of a new elite BIR Lake Chad unit, as the government steps up its response to renewed attacks attributed to Boko Haram.

The announcement was made as Minister Delegate in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo and Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji held a security meeting in Maroua on Tuesday, 29 September, following a joint field mission to Waza in Logone-et-Chari.

The meeting, held at the office of Far North Governor Midjiyawa Bakari, brought together administrative, security and judicial authorities from across the region. Discussions focused on the deteriorating security situation in parts of the Far North and the humanitarian consequences for communities affected by the violence.

The two ministers had travelled to Waza on Monday to assess the situation on the ground and deliver emergency assistance to families displaced by recent attacks. The Defence Ministry said the mission was carried out on the instructions of President Paul Biya and was intended both to strengthen security measures and reassure affected communities of continued government support.

During the Maroua meeting, Beti Assomo identified Logone-et-Chari, Mayo-Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga as the divisions most exposed to the Boko Haram threat. The authorities also reviewed cooperation between the various defence and security forces deployed in the region, with both ministers stressing the importance of coordinated action.

Particular attention was given to community vigilance committees, whose activities have reportedly declined in recent months. Beti Assomo recalled the committees’ role in providing intelligence to regular security forces and noted that some members had paid a heavy price for their involvement, including becoming victims of attacks. Consultations are now under way with administrative authorities on how the committees can be revived and provided with the necessary support.

New BIR Lake Chad unit

The most significant operational announcement was the planned creation of BIR Lake Chad, a new Rapid Intervention Battalion formation intended to strengthen Cameroon’s military response around the Lake Chad Basin.

According to the Defence Ministry, the unit will comprise more than 1,000 personnel, with about 800 already deployed in the area. Authorities have also called for land to be allocated in Waza for the construction of a military base.

The new formation is expected to reinforce the protection of civilians and improve Cameroon’s ability to project security forces in communities exposed to attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups operating around the Lake Chad Basin.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of renewed displacement in parts of the Far North. Recent reporting from Waza described families fleeing violence and seeking refuge in already strained accommodation, including temporary sites and public buildings.

The security discussions followed the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Waza. The special assistance, provided by President Paul Biya and his wife Chantal Biya, included food and other essential items as well as financial support for displaced families affected by the violence. The Defence Ministry described the intervention as part of the government’s continuing humanitarian response to communities affected by Boko Haram attacks.

Cameroon Tribune reported that the assistance reached more than 1,500 families, representing nearly 5,000 people affected by the recent violence.  The visit also allowed the two ministers to hear directly from affected communities and assess the conditions in which displaced people are living.

Culled from Pan African Visions