Zulum: Borno Model Transforms to Regional Policy
The Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration (CBRR) Policy and the Transitional Justice Framework were officially launched at the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum as part of the region’s peacebuilding strategy. Inspired by the success of the “Borno Model” initiated by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the policy aims to address the Boko Haram insurgency through a community-driven, socio-economic, and political approach.
Governor Zulum outlined the development of the CBRR policy, which began in 2015 and gained widespread support from stakeholders, including the UNDP and European Union. The governor emphasized the importance of dialogue over military action in achieving lasting peace, noting that more than 200,000 repentant insurgents and their families had surrendered in the past two years.
The Borno Model has been instrumental in reintegrating insurgents and providing them with psycho-social support and empowerment programs. Governor Zulum concluded by reiterating that “the best way to defeat insurgency is through dialogue.”
