The Dahalo of Madagascar and Cattle Rustlers in the Lake Chad Basin, a Shared Threat Beyond Borders

By: Zagazola Makama

In the heart of Africa and the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar, two seemingly distant threats share a dangerous commonality: the Dahalo and cattle rustlers. Though they exist in different geographical, cultural, and political contexts, both groups have metamorphosed from traditional raiders into well-armed, highly networked criminal enterprises with disturbing implications for regional security, economic stability, and global illicit trade.

Traditionally, the Dahalo of Madagascar were young men proving their bravery through cattle theft and culturally accepted rite of passage. But over the years, this practice evolved into a violent criminal operation, particularly in Madagascar’s southern “red zones.” Today, Dahalo fighters move in formations reminiscent of guerrilla units, carrying Kalashnikovs and MAS-36 rifles, burning villages, and executing raids with deadly precision.

A similar transformation has occurred across the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) and the broader Sahel. What was once a pastoralist ritual for dowry or status has devolved into rampant cattle rustling, marked by commercial motivations and military-grade violence. Armed groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have co-opted cattle theft as a tool of economic warfare and insurgency financing, altering the dynamics of regional insecurity.

In both regions, the actors are heavily armed and exploit ungoverned spaces for strategic advantage. Madagascar’s Dahalo exploit remote territories with minimal government presence, particularly in the Great South, operating freely in zones that mirror guerrilla warfare conditions.

In the Sahel and Lake Chad region, cattle rustlers and terror groups capitalize on Nigeria’s marshlands of Lake Chad, and the mountainous border regions of Niger and Mali. Here, they evade security forces, engage in cross-border raids, and impose illegal taxes on livestock traders and herders.

A critical yet underreported dimension is the emergence of transnational livestock trafficking networks, often referred to as the “meat mafia.” In both Madagascar and West Africa, stolen cattle are laundered through intermediaries – including corrupt officials, market traders, transporters, and butchers blending seamlessly with legally acquired livestock in regional markets.

In Nigeria, Africa’s largest cattle market, rustled herds are sold openly. Sophisticated tactics like “cattle round-tripping” moving animals across porous borders to obscure their origins have are now common. In Burkina Faso, jihadist groups such as JNIM and Ansarul Islam have even developed “commercial partnerships” with these networks, earning millions in monthly revenues to sustain their insurgencies.

Madagascar mirrors this structure. Government reports have exposed collusion between national leaders, police officers, and judges in facilitating Dahalo operations. Special advisers have described entire “cattle mafias” laundering thousands of heads of zebu (a prized local breed), with links to export markets in China and Arab states.

Another chilling layer to this network is the leather trade. While concrete evidence linking fashion brands to leather sourced from stolen livestock remains elusive, the risk is real. In Nigeria alone, animal skin exports generate more than $800 million annually. With no comprehensive system to trace the origin of hides, it’s highly plausible that stolen cattle contribute to global leather supply chains.

The fashion industry, known for its opaque supply networks, often sources leather through tanneries in high-risk regions. This opens a channel for conflict leather to flow unnoticed into international markets. Inaction or failure to investigate supply origins could render global brands complicit – knowingly or not – in fueling banditry and terror finance.

The terror-crime nexus in the LCB and Sahel is undeniable. Groups like Boko Haram use cattle rustling not just to fund operations but to dominate rural economies. They impose taxes on herders, abduct livestock owners for ransom, and terrorize communities into submission. These tactics serve both economic and psychological warfare, entrenching their control and weakening state legitimacy.

While the Dahalo are less ideologically motivated, their methods mimic insurgent governance: hostage-taking, village destruction, and an ability to operate with impunity. Madagascar’s internal security challenges mirror the complexity of northern Nigeria and the tri-border Sahel.

What Next? Toward a Multisectoral Response

The threat posed by these groups transcends cattle rustling. It reflects broader failures in governance, law enforcement, and border security. Left unchecked, they undermine fragile economies, deepen food insecurity, and blur the lines between criminal enterprise and armed conflict.

Addressing this challenge demands a multisectoral strategy: Strengthen border surveillance and regional intelligence-sharing.Regulate and digitize livestock movement through traceable means (e.g., tagging, blockchain). Crack down on collusion within security forces and public institutions.
Enforce due diligence in the leather and meat industries to prevent laundering of stolen goods.
Provide pastoral communities with economic alternatives and local protection mechanisms.

Conclusion

From the red plains of Madagascar to the dry frontiers of the Sahel, a dark economy thrives on the backs of stolen cattle. Whether driven by profit, ritual, or insurgency, the actors involved share more than just tactics. they exploit the same gaps in governance, the same desperation of vulnerable communities, and the same blind spots in international oversight.

The world may view cattle rustling as a relic of the past, but in reality, it is a sophisticated and deadly enterprise one that demands urgent attention from African states, global industry, and international partners alike.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

The Dahalo of Madagascar and Cattle Rustlers in the Lake Chad Basin, a Shared Threat Beyond Borders

Zulum Expresses Gratitude for Successful Statewide Day of Prayer and Fasting

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has expressed gratitude to the citizens of the state for their overwhelming response to his call for a one-day voluntary fast and prayers for peace and security.

In a statewide broadcast on Saturday, Zulum urged residents to join him in observing a day of prayer and fasting on Monday, seeking divine intervention for sustained peace in Borno State, the North-East region, and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor, who is currently on a resilience tour to some of the hard-to-reach local government areas, conveyed his appreciation through his spokesperson, Malam Dauda Iliya.

“From the reports I have received, the response to our call for a day of prayer and fasting yesterday (Monday) has been highly impressive, with participation from both Muslim and Christian faithful,” the Governor stated.

“Indeed, this kind of solidarity continues to motivate and strengthen my resolve to pursue lasting peace, security, and a resilient society in our post-conflict recovery efforts,” he added.

Governor Zulum also extended his appreciation to Islamic scholars and Christian clerics, under the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), for leading their congregations in special prayer sessions.

Zulum had during the broadcast called on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity. “This Monday, I am inviting you to join me in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to reign in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria and indeed the entire country. Let us come together to seek divine guidance, healing, and peace for our state,” he asked.

“Fasting is more than a personal spiritual act; it is a communal expression of our shared hope. Through prayer and reflection, we can strengthen our unity, renew our resilience, and restore our collective purpose'”.

“I encourage each of you to participate fully in this day of fasting. Let us pray for the safety of our families, the progress of our communities, and the lasting peace in our state and the country at large,” he concluded.

Zulum Expresses Gratitude for Successful Statewide Day of Prayer and Fasting

Zulum Joins the Rest of Borno People to Fast and Pray for Defeat of Boko Haram, Unity

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum dedicated Monday to prayer and fasting aimed at fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.

The governor who arrived in Rann, headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Council, before sunset on Sunday, spent the night coordinating support for security agencies and volunteer forces.

Kala-Balge is one of the communities in Borno State that has faced persistent security challenges from Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents that have disrupted daily life and threatened peace.

According to Zulum, the visit was part of his commitment to fostering unity, spiritual resilience and hope among the people amidst the ongoing security challenges.

Zulum, who had urged citizens to observe fasting and prayers on Monday in a statewide broadcast on Saturday, stated that: “In light of our current security challenges, I am calling on all residents of Borno State to unite in a collective act of faith and solidarity. This Monday, I am inviting you to join me in a voluntary day of fasting and prayer for peace to reign in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, and indeed the entire country.”

The governor on Monday expressed appreciation to the people of Borno and those outside the state for heeding his call to observe fasting and prayers for the restoration of peace in the state.

He said “let me express my appreciation to thousands of people in Borno that have observed today’s fasting and praying for peace to reign in our state. People from other states and even beyond Nigeria joined in seeking divine intervention for the security challenges we are facing. We thank everyone for the solidarity.”

Meanwhile, Zulum has approved 10 patrol vehicles to support the military and youth volunteers in combating the criminal activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.

Zulum, while announcing the approval on Monday during an address to both groups separately, noted that while the volunteers comprising CJTF, hunters and vigilantes would receive six Takoma/Toyota Hilux, an additional four gun-trucks would be donated to the military.

The Governor rounded up the visit in Kala-Balge by distributing food items to over 10,000 families, mostly women and their vulnerable family members.