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One of the defining characteristics of modern statehood is the monopoly on violence – theso-called Weberian assumption. However, many states decide to forego this monopoly andprovide support, in terms of arms and training, to groups that do not operate under this legitimatemonopoly on violence. This master’s thesis takes on the question of under what conditions dostates support non-state armed groups (NSAG) in their territory, which is studied through acomparative case design of four cases: GATIA and Da Na Ambassagou in Mali, and the BakassiBoys and the Civilian Joint Task Force in Nigeria. Through a comparative case study of fourcases from two different countries I provide a cross-case as well as a cross-country analysis ofthe relationship between a high threat perception, low security capacity and state support forNSAGs. In this master’s thesis, I find limited support that a high threat perception and a lowsecurity capacity of a state result make it more likely for a state to support a non-state armedgroup operating within their territory.