Military Action Alone Cannot End Terrorism – British Official
Cynthia Rowe, Development Director for the British High Commission in Nigeria, has emphasized that military efforts alone are insufficient in combating terrorism and violent extremism in the Lake Chad Basin region…READ MORE…
Speaking at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Rowe highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to security that goes beyond kinetic action. She made these remarks during the launch of the Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration (CBRR) Policy and Transitional Justice Framework.
“The one thing we all understand is that military force alone cannot resolve the challenges posed by extremism and terrorism,” Rowe stated. “To achieve lasting peace, we must address the root causes through dialogue, justice, and development.”
She stressed the importance of integrating both local and national structures, engaging traditional leaders, and ensuring counterterrorism strategies respect the dignity of affected communities.
“Reconciliation and community resilience are just as critical as military intervention,” Rowe added, urging for strategic, accountable, and sustainable solutions to insecurity.
Rowe also called for greater cross-border cooperation among Lake Chad Basin countries—Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger—citing shared challenges such as displacement, insecurity, and extremism.
“The global community is watching Africa, and we are committed to addressing these challenges together,” she said, commending Nigerian officials and international partners like the European Union and the UNDP for their contributions to peace-building efforts.
Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), echoed the importance of a coordinated approach to reintegration. He emphasized that the CBRR policy provides a framework for affected countries while recognizing their unique contexts.
“The success of reintegration depends on community reconciliation and traditional justice systems complementing formal prosecution mechanisms,” Nuhu stated.
He underscored that the policy aims to restore social infrastructure and community resilience, with local committees leading the reintegration process under national and regional guidance.
Both officials agreed that sustainable peace in the Lake Chad region requires not just security operations but also social, economic, and political solutions that address the underlying drivers of extremism.