Post on 15-Apr-2017
Boko Haram
www.rayanehocine.com
Geopolitical Analysis
Summary
•I. Introduction
•II. Creation and Organisation
•III. Relation to the outside world
•IV. Terrorist attacks
•V. Conclusion
Jihadist conquest to ensure Northern political dominance through islamization of Nigeria
Jihad translates to war against Western cultural influence – Western democracy, Western education and Christianity, modern governmental institutions and other symbols of Western influence
Islamic fundamentalism as mobilizational toolThe Almajiri System – abused and manipulated for narrow
political ends 75 percent northern population poor; 60 percent live on
less than 1 US dollar a day; 32 percent literacy rate in the north (68 % national rate)
Their Mission
Historical Backdrop to Boko Haram President Babangida’s foreign policy and Nigeria’s OIC membership -
1986 Adoption of Sharia by 9 Northern states (plus partial adoption by 3) since
1999, posing a serious challenge to constitutional separation of state and religion
December 1980 - rise of Maitatsine in the Northern commercial city of Kano – 5000 lives lost in uprising
Leader – Alhaji Mohammadu Marwa Maitatsine Maitatsine considered as a rebel among mainstream Muslim clerics Used adulterated version of the Koran, with his name in place of that of
Prophet Mohammed Preached against use of modern technologies such as motorcycles,
automobiles, bicycles, radio, television, wristwatch, etc. Killed in the Kano violence of 1980; his followers continued to spread his
radical message among the urban poor across the northern region; 1985 last major Maitatsine uprising
II. Creation and OrganisationA. Background
• 1900 - British Colony
• 1960 - Nigerian Independance
• 1960 - Governed by military dictatorship
• 1999 - Democracy
C. Ideology
• Sunny Islamic fundamentalist sect
• Sharia law
• Influenced by Wahhabi movement
• Seeks to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria
D. Organisation
• Hierachical structure
• Clandestine cell system
• Guerilla force
• 300 – 500 fighters per unit
Abubakar Shekau
III. Relations to the outside worldA. Response by the Nigerian government
• Nigerian military has fallen apart
« Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our troops »
- Kashim Shettima
B. Response by the USA
• Designated as terrorist organisation in November 2013
• Supplied the Nigerian army
• Discontinued training
• Will continue to engage future requests of cooperation and
training
C. Financing their operations
• Kidnapping, Robbery and extortion
- On average $1 million per kidnapping
• Donations from islamist sympathisers
- Local donors
- Creating fake charity organisations
• Drug trafficking and smuggling
- Associated with cocaine trafficking