Boko Haram's insurgency began in 2009, and security forces across the region were increasingly directly challenged by jihadist militant groups.

[1] In January 2015 the MNJTF headquarters in Baga, Nigeria, was overrun by militants of Boko Haram, who then proceeded to massacre local residents[2][3] and destroy the town, displacing many citizens.

The political process of expanding the MNJTF was given new strength and energy which led to swifter progress, including the expansion of troop numbers and mandate, and relocation of the HQ to N'Djamena, Chad.

[6][7] The most significant structural changes for the MNJTF that emerged from the meetings in 2015 were a rise in numbers, the creation of a new Concept of Operations under the supervision of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, and the move of the HQ to N'Djamena.

[17] There is still considerable skepticism in the international community that the new force can deliver results,[18] and its success or otherwise as a multinational endeavour will be closely monitored.

[19] Discontent has been voiced within coalition by Chadian president Idris Deby for shouldering disproportionate burden of fighting armed groups and announced confining its military operations to its boundaries.