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Ending Terrorism in Africa: Diverging Approaches for Fighting Boko Haram Insurgency
Boko Haram insurgency has been a plague to peace and prosperity in Nigeria. In recent years, the organization has become increasingly more violent and connected with transnational terrorist organizations. Boko Haram threatens to destabilize Nigeria, as the group has carried out attacks on Nigerian infrastructure in addition to high-profile events like the abduction of school children in 2014 (Blanchard, 2014). Although the roots of Boko Haram can be traced to global Islamic fundamentalism, in Nigeria there are a host of more salient political, social, and economic problems that have made it possible for Boko Haram to become increasingly powerful and relevant. The responses to Boko Haram have failed to address these underlying causes, instead relying on reactionary tactics including violence or simply remaining indifferent to the situation Anyadike (2013). A sensible and workable strategy is needed to eliminate Boko Haram, or at least quell the insurgency and bring peace, stability, and prosperity to Nigeria and its neighbors. As Gilbert (2014) points out, Nigeria needs to adopt a "synergistic approach" involving whole region and including Cameroon, Chad and Niger (p. 150).
Boko Haram has appealed to the poor and unemployed in Northern Nigeria. The organization has also established itself as an official opposition to the Nigerian government, which is perceived of as corrupt as well as irresponsive to the needs of Northern Nigerians. The rise of global Islamic terrorism provided Boko Haram with tools and resources it used to infiltrate and permeate the religious and social organizations in disenfranchised communities. Boko Haram has offered disenfranchised communities a cohesive, albeit misguided message of self-empowerment.
Far from condoning the violent and tactics and extremist politics of Boko Haram, conflict theory leads to viable solutions to the problem. It is hypothesized that the only real and sustainable way of solving the problem of Boko Haram is to address the root causes, the circumstances that gave rise to support for the group and which entrench the group in Nigeria and across several of its borders as well. The conflict theory approach also includes reference to post-colonial discourse and identity construction. Deprivation theory can also be used to research solutions to the problem (Agbiboa, 2013).
Annotated Bibliography Agbiboa, D.E. (2013a). Peace at Daggers Drawn? Boko Haram and the State of Emergency in Nigeria. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 37(1): 41-67. One of the leading analysts on Boko Haram here provides a detailed overview of the group, discussing how Boko Haram emerged out of the chaotic instability in northern Nigeria, what specific demands and issues the group has presented and how those demands have changed, how they recruit,
Conceptualizing Boko Haram is challenging, requiring a multifaceted theoretical framework. Boko Haram did not emerge out of a vacuum. It is hypothesized that Boko Haram has been influenced by other radical groups as well as trans-national religious extremism. Moreover, it is hypothesized that Boko Haram functions as a political opposition group. The theoretical framework used to characterize the political function and focus of Boko Haram is based on social alienation
Agbiboa, D.E. (2013a). Peace at Daggers Drawn? Boko Haram and the State of Emergency in Nigeria. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 37(1): 41-67. Boko Haram technically started in 2002 but has been especially active since 2009. Since then, the organization has worked hard to discredit the Nigerian government and replace it with an Islamic state based on Sharia law. Boko Haram is inspired by international radical Islam, and has taken
Diffusion of innovation theory refers to the spread of ideas, materials, or strategies and can be applied both to counterterrorism policies or terrorist tactics themselves. By paying attention to the patterns of diffusion, governments can make more informed counterterrorism decisions or policies. At the same time, diffusion of innovation can show how terrorist tactics spread from one group to another or how extremism spreads throughout a region. Applied to Boko Haram,
Religious LiteracyIntroductionReligion is important to people because it not only gives them an individual identity but it also gives them a group identity. It fosters a sense of personal belief as well as a sense of community and belonging. Religions are diverse around the world. The main religions include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. Buddhism is not so much a religion as a philosophy or way of life. But even
Nigeria Election and Media Coverage The Nigerian elections committee has postponed the national election until March 28, 2015. The election was scheduled to take place on February 14, but growing concerns about violence and security issues have triggered this cautionary response. Yet, there are some who believe that postponement will not substantially result in improved security, and instead will worsen conditions. Nigeria's security chiefs are not confident that they can keep