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Boko Haram continues its ascent as the world looks away Boko Haram continues its ascent as the world looks away
(8 months later)
For a while it took centre stage in the world’s gaze but five months on the kidnapping of schoolgirls by Islamist militants Boko Haram is not even top story in Nigeria.For a while it took centre stage in the world’s gaze but five months on the kidnapping of schoolgirls by Islamist militants Boko Haram is not even top story in Nigeria.
The outbreak of Ebola there and in other western African countries has seen the missing girls drop down the global agenda, even as Boko Haram continues its ascent.The outbreak of Ebola there and in other western African countries has seen the missing girls drop down the global agenda, even as Boko Haram continues its ascent.
Where TV cameras go, political impetus often tends to follow along with cries of “something must be done!” There is a risk that efforts in northern Nigeria will lose momentum as world leaders fight fires including Gaza, Ukraine and Iraq and Syria.Where TV cameras go, political impetus often tends to follow along with cries of “something must be done!” There is a risk that efforts in northern Nigeria will lose momentum as world leaders fight fires including Gaza, Ukraine and Iraq and Syria.
A jarring reminder of the mass kidnapping came this week when electoral billboards appeared in the capital, Abuja, with the phrase, “#BringBackJonathan2015”, in what many saw as a cynical play on the viral #BringBackOurGirls hashtag.A jarring reminder of the mass kidnapping came this week when electoral billboards appeared in the capital, Abuja, with the phrase, “#BringBackJonathan2015”, in what many saw as a cynical play on the viral #BringBackOurGirls hashtag.
Sensing a PR catastrophe, president Goodluck Jonathan moved to distance himself from the adverts, describing them as “offensive and repugnant,” and ordering that they be taken down. “President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag,” his office said.Sensing a PR catastrophe, president Goodluck Jonathan moved to distance himself from the adverts, describing them as “offensive and repugnant,” and ordering that they be taken down. “President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag,” his office said.
Jonathan’s government has been criticised for not rescuing any of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April from a remote northeastern school. Boko Haram released a video of some of the girls saying they have willingly converted from Christianity to Islam. Other reports suggest at least two have died from snakebites, some have been forced to marry their abductors and others have been taken across the border into Cameroon.Jonathan’s government has been criticised for not rescuing any of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in April from a remote northeastern school. Boko Haram released a video of some of the girls saying they have willingly converted from Christianity to Islam. Other reports suggest at least two have died from snakebites, some have been forced to marry their abductors and others have been taken across the border into Cameroon.
Meanwhile Boko Haram continues to rampage virtually unchecked. Showing increasing confidence, it is abandoning its old hit-and-run tactics and is believed to be in control of large swaths of Borno, its historic stronghold, as well as towns and villages in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe. The three states have been under emergency rule since May last year.Meanwhile Boko Haram continues to rampage virtually unchecked. Showing increasing confidence, it is abandoning its old hit-and-run tactics and is believed to be in control of large swaths of Borno, its historic stronghold, as well as towns and villages in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe. The three states have been under emergency rule since May last year.
Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, last month declared a “Muslim territory” after capturing Gwoza near the Cameroon border, seemingly seeking to emulate the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS), which announced the creation of its own, separate caliphate.Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, last month declared a “Muslim territory” after capturing Gwoza near the Cameroon border, seemingly seeking to emulate the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS), which announced the creation of its own, separate caliphate.
The Nigeria Security Network warned last week: “Unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis’s lightning advances in Iraq.The Nigeria Security Network warned last week: “Unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis’s lightning advances in Iraq.
“They are beginning to operate like a conventional army... They are reported to be using armoured vehicles, including tanks, and heavy weapons.”“They are beginning to operate like a conventional army... They are reported to be using armoured vehicles, including tanks, and heavy weapons.”
The beleaguered Nigerian military, underpaid and underfunded with morale at rock bottom, is losing the war. During fighting this week around Bazza, the son of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo was shot in both legs, according to hospital authorities.The beleaguered Nigerian military, underpaid and underfunded with morale at rock bottom, is losing the war. During fighting this week around Bazza, the son of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo was shot in both legs, according to hospital authorities.
Bloomberg reported that when militants raided the northeastern village of Izghe, killing 90 people, some government troops dropped their weapons, stripped off their uniforms and fled in civilian clothes, according to two soldiers at the scene.Bloomberg reported that when militants raided the northeastern village of Izghe, killing 90 people, some government troops dropped their weapons, stripped off their uniforms and fled in civilian clothes, according to two soldiers at the scene.
They claimed the troops were angry their monthly pay had been cut in half to 15,000 naira (£57) without explanation, heightening their belief that money was being siphoned off by officials in Abuja, the capital.They claimed the troops were angry their monthly pay had been cut in half to 15,000 naira (£57) without explanation, heightening their belief that money was being siphoned off by officials in Abuja, the capital.
Nigerian prez Goodluck Jonathan's jaw-dropping, insensitive, inappropriate reelection campaign ad pic.twitter.com/VJcAYdExsS Nigerian prez Goodluck Jonathan's jaw-dropping, insensitive, inappropriate reelection campaign ad pic.twitter.com/VJcAYdExsS
Lagun Akinloye, a Nigeria analyst for Think Africa Press, said on Wednesday: “The military are failing on various fronts. The disgruntled lower cadre of the army (mainly infantry) have continuously complained about lack of equipment, combat logistics, food and timely payment of salaries. These strenuous conditions are having adverse effects on troops in comparison to the well paid and highly motivated insurgents.Lagun Akinloye, a Nigeria analyst for Think Africa Press, said on Wednesday: “The military are failing on various fronts. The disgruntled lower cadre of the army (mainly infantry) have continuously complained about lack of equipment, combat logistics, food and timely payment of salaries. These strenuous conditions are having adverse effects on troops in comparison to the well paid and highly motivated insurgents.
“Corruption within the higher ranks of the military is still rife whilst the vast geographical location of north-east Nigeria, where Boko Haram operates, makes it easier to evade the military and to plan attacks against them.”“Corruption within the higher ranks of the military is still rife whilst the vast geographical location of north-east Nigeria, where Boko Haram operates, makes it easier to evade the military and to plan attacks against them.”
But dwindling global coverage may in fact be welcomed by the Nigerian government, Akinloye believes. “Media attention may be deflected by the current crisis in Iraq and Ukraine yet this plays into the strategy of the Nigerian government who prefer to downplay the issue of Boko Haram and the missing girls in order to save face and project the image that they are on top of the situation.”But dwindling global coverage may in fact be welcomed by the Nigerian government, Akinloye believes. “Media attention may be deflected by the current crisis in Iraq and Ukraine yet this plays into the strategy of the Nigerian government who prefer to downplay the issue of Boko Haram and the missing girls in order to save face and project the image that they are on top of the situation.”
The type of interventions seen in Iraq and Syria are a distant prospect, but the world has not turned its back. Akinloye noted that Britain has promised the Nigerian army extra training while US surveillance planes have begun flying missions over remote areas of the country.The type of interventions seen in Iraq and Syria are a distant prospect, but the world has not turned its back. Akinloye noted that Britain has promised the Nigerian army extra training while US surveillance planes have begun flying missions over remote areas of the country.
Washington has also said it is close to announcing a major border security programme that will include Nigeria and its neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It continues to provide technical training to military and police forces fighting Boko Haram and advanced training to a Nigerian infantry battalion.Washington has also said it is close to announcing a major border security programme that will include Nigeria and its neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger. It continues to provide technical training to military and police forces fighting Boko Haram and advanced training to a Nigerian infantry battalion.
In a pointed comment last week, however, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said: “It is critical that the investment in this unit be properly maintained and utilised upon deployment, with clean supply chains and adequate supplies, a strong chain of command, and missions and values that address Nigeria’s counterterrorism threat and keep civilians safe. The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option.”In a pointed comment last week, however, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said: “It is critical that the investment in this unit be properly maintained and utilised upon deployment, with clean supply chains and adequate supplies, a strong chain of command, and missions and values that address Nigeria’s counterterrorism threat and keep civilians safe. The reputation of Nigeria’s military is at stake. But more importantly, Nigeria’s and its children’s future is in jeopardy. Failure is not an option.”