On the occasion of the 4th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum, Radio Ndarason listeners had the opportunity to express their hopes in terms of security during the Kanembu language “thematic call” programme on July 4.

Since 2009 and the emergence of Jamāʿat Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Daʿawah wa al-Jihād (JAS – more commonly known as ‘Boko Haram’), the countries of the Lake Chad Basin have been faced with growing insecurity, especially on the islands in the lake, forcing the population to take refuge away from the lake.

One listener, Hassan Djibrilla, suggests that decision-makers recruit local youth to win battles on the ground: “I advise governors to put their weight behind recruiting young people from the region and integrating them into the army, as they know all the waterways and inlets of the Lake Chad islands best.

Brahim Abakar Dinaou, a loyal Ndarason listener, would like to see traditional, religious and notable chiefs involved in intelligence-gathering. For him, these people know the inhabitants well. “The return of security must be achieved with the involvement of traditional chiefs in intelligence and the security forces. Without this, it will be difficult to re-establish security in the Lake Chad basin”.

While listener Mahamat Saleh Kousseri says, the governors must mobilize to ensure that the army and soldiers of the mixed forces occupy liberated localities until the definitive return of displaced persons. “If the army is present, it will be difficult for the insurgents to return”, he concluded.

Other listeners called for the promotion and creation of jobs for young people. According to them, this is a determining factor in the return of security to the Lake Chad basin.

From Monday to Friday, Radio Ndarason gives listeners the chance to express their views on a topical issue.