Abstract
The paper investigates the Lake Chad Basin's complex multilevel water governance framework. It highlights the involvement of subnational governments in this framework as a notable deviation from traditional international relations practices. While arguing that the involvement of subnational governments, facilitated by the Lake Chad Basin Governors' Forum, can enhance regional cooperation and sustainable water resource utilisation, the paper suggests that the resulting change in thinking has significant implications for the theoretical foundations of international relations. Although exploratory, the paper offers a few recommendations that could help combat the possible negative consequences of this development on statehood and the interaction within the water governance framework in the Chad Basin area.