A geopolítica da África Ocidental: a insurgência do grupo Boko Haram na Nigéria de 2009 até presente

Abstract

This dissertation aims to analyze the Boko Haram insurgency and the strategies adopted to confront it in West Africa through the lens of the Regional Security Complex Theory, developed by Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver. The central hypothesis is that security threats in the region are transnational and interdependent, thus requiring coordinated responses among the affected states. Through bibliographic and documentary analysis, the trajectory of Boko Haram was reconstructed from its origins as a radical religious movement to its consolidation as an armed insurgency with regional impact. The study examines the structural factors that facilitated the group’s growth, such as extreme poverty, social exclusion, and institutional fragility. It also investigates the response strategies employed, including military actions, reintegration policies for former combatants, and international partnerships. The theory of regional security complexes proved useful in understanding the limitations of regional cooperation, while the concept of securitization helped explain the predominance of military responses over multisectoral policies. The research finds that, despite initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force, efforts remain fragmented and largely ineffective due to a lack of intersectoral coordination, mutual distrust among states, and external geopolitical interests. It concludes that the Regional Security Theory offers a valuable framework for understanding the phenomenon, but its practical applicability depends on the involved states’ ability to strengthen institutions, promote social justice, and develop integrated security strategies.