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

I. Introduction•« Western education is forbidden »

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

B. Foundation

• Mohammed Yusuf

• Founded in 2002

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

E. Symbols

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

IV. Terrorist attacks

•Chibok : 14–15 April 2014

•Gamboru and Ngala : 5-6 May 2014

•Gwoza : 2 June 2014

•Kano : 28 November 2014