Research Article

THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS

Volume: 7 Number: 3 August 22, 2026
EN TR

THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS

Abstract

This article examines the role of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) security mechanism in managing the insurgency that has persisted for over a decade in Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad regions. The article adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on primary and secondary sources, supplemented by personal interviews. The findings reveal that although the APSA-led security initiative offers solutions to complex security issues and imminent transnational threats, operational, logistical, technical, financial, and political challenges continue to undermine this framework in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. The article concludes that despite these challenges, the security framework remains a viable and important instrument that can help the African Union and other sub-regional actors effectively address the emergent and complex security threats facing the African continent, provided that the key actors responsible for addressing Africa's problems demonstrate the will to resolve the operational, logistical, financial, and political shortcomings that hinder its full implementation.

Keywords

References

  1. • Abass, Ademola (2025), “The African Union and the Responsibility to Protect: Principles and Limitations”, in André Nollkaemper & Julia Hoffmann (eds.), Responsibility to Protect, London: Routledge, pp. 213-236.
  2. • African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism, “The African Union Counter Terrorism Framework”, Date of Accession: 24.04.2026 from http://www.caert.org.dz/official-documents/AU-CT-Framework.pdf.
  3. • African Union (2015), African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Roadmap 2016–2020, Addis Ababa: African Union Commission, Peace and Security Department, Date of Accession: 01.01.2026 from https://au.int/sites/default/files/documents/38310-doc-9_2015-en-apsa-roadmap-final.pdf.
  4. • African Union (2017), “Peace and Security Council”, Date of Accession: 15.01.2025 from https://au.int/en/psc.
  5. • Albert, Isaac Olawale (2017), “Rethinking the Functionality of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Managing the Boko Haram Crisis in the Lake Chad Basin”, Africa Development, 42(3), pp. 119-135.
  6. • Allison, Simon (2015), “Good Talk, Not Enough Action: The AU’s Counter-Terrorism Architecture, and Why It Matters”, Institute for Security Studies Policy Brief, 66, pp. 1-8.
  7. • Amnesty International (2018), Nigeria: Still No Accountability for Human Rights Violations, Submission for the UN Universal Periodic Review, Date of Accession: 01.01.2024 from https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr44/8529/2018/en/ .
  8. • Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) (2017), “Real Time Data: Armed Conflicts in Africa”, Date of Accession: 18.11.2018 from https://acleddata.com/.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

International Foundation, International Politics, Conflict Resolution

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Cemal Yorgancıoğlu *
0000-0002-2885-7853
Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti

Publication Date

August 22, 2026

Submission Date

December 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 3

APA
Kangdim, D. M., & Yorgancıoğlu, C. (2026). THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS. UPA Strategic Affairs, 7(3), 23-48. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20121204
AMA
1.Kangdim DM, Yorgancıoğlu C. THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS. UPA Strategic Affairs. 2026;7(3):23-48. doi:10.5281/zenodo.20121204
Chicago
Kangdim, Dingji Maza, and Cemal Yorgancıoğlu. 2026. “THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS”. UPA Strategic Affairs 7 (3): 23-48. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20121204.
EndNote
Kangdim DM, Yorgancıoğlu C (August 1, 2026) THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS. UPA Strategic Affairs 7 3 23–48.
IEEE
[1]D. M. Kangdim and C. Yorgancıoğlu, “THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS”, UPA Strategic Affairs, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 23–48, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.20121204.
ISNAD
Kangdim, Dingji Maza - Yorgancıoğlu, Cemal. “THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS”. UPA Strategic Affairs 7/3 (August 1, 2026): 23-48. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20121204.
JAMA
1.Kangdim DM, Yorgancıoğlu C. THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS. UPA Strategic Affairs. 2026;7:23–48.
MLA
Kangdim, Dingji Maza, and Cemal Yorgancıoğlu. “THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS”. UPA Strategic Affairs, vol. 7, no. 3, Aug. 2026, pp. 23-48, doi:10.5281/zenodo.20121204.
Vancouver
1.Dingji Maza Kangdim, Cemal Yorgancıoğlu. THE ROLE OF THE APSA SECURITY FRAMEWORK IN MANAGING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: THE MISSING COMPONENTS. UPA Strategic Affairs. 2026 Aug. 1;7(3):23-48. doi:10.5281/zenodo.20121204