Paksanity
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2014
- Messages
- 2,376
- Reaction score
- 40
- Country
- Location
Just an overview of situation in Northern Nigeria
Nigeria is largest by economy and population in Africa. It hosts richest African people and largest military of Africa. Northern Nigeria is predominantly Muslim while southern is Christian. There are three major tribes Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Tribal bonds are stronger than religious ones in countryside. Northern Nigeria is stronghold of opposition parties to current president who is ruling for 6 years and is competing for another 4 year term in coming election. He is a Christian from South and BH phenomenon took root in his tenure.
North and South have had their differences for very long. In fact northern and southern Nigeria was combined into one country by British during their colonial rule. Southern Nigeria broke apart in 1967 and proclaimed itself as Biafra state which was supported by West at that time. After a civil war, Nigeria reunited as one country in 1970.
Nigeria remained under military rule both from southern and northern military leaders. After return to democracy in 1993, civil leaders have seen military with suspicion and kept it underfunded. Nepotism also was a favorite tool to keep dangers of coup away. This resulted in reduction of military capacity of Nigeria much to the comfort of democratic leaders. No territorial dispute with its neighbours also adds to equation. For past one decade, southern Christians have ruled the country and much of the development has focused towards south. Neglect of northern part fueled anger among Muslims which are slightly more in population.
Greatest influence over Muslims are the 'Emirs' which are highly respected. Boko Haram phenomenon however is result of Muslims who viewed Emirs as influenced by government incentives. It started as a non violent movement and in fact gathered considerable support among Muslims in the north. Movement however turned violent after it's leader was captured and killed by government. This was perceived as Christian southern killing a northern Muslim for his faith. Movement initially targeted Christians in sudden raids on far flung villages in hit and run. As Nigerian army with poor equipment, under funded and with no support from Democratic government retreated, BH started to hold territory.
BH benefitted from Libyan civil war as heavy weapons made its way to northern Nigeria after Libyan military lost control over its arms depots. Nigerian government initially tried to dismiss BH as insignificant however it soon became clear that large part is territory had been lost. They were caught off-guard and ill prepared. After BH started attacking Muslim villages and killing them in large numbers common Muslims turned to Emirs. Emirs announced movement un Islamic and since then have been targeted in suicide attacks killing at least one Emir while three had narrow escapes. BH does not differentiate between Christian and Muslims now. In its recent attacks including an attack on Mosque of an Emir, Muslims casualties are much higher. Recent attack on Baga which is Muslim majority town is also an example of that.
Present government has lost popularity both in South and North because of its inability to control BH. Now the conspiracy theory is that they have supported this insurgency to curtail northern influence. At the same time if election can not be held in effected states then present government might win another term.
Nigerian military has taken a hit on its reputation (which otherwise had a very good record in African conflicts especially Liberia and Sierra Leone where they successfully crushed insurgencies). This conflict has sent military scrambling for defense equipment from all over the world. Citing Human Rights abuses, west had refrained from providing anything more than Intel and some basic training. Nigeria first made them angry by an outburst of their ambassador to US. They subsequently tried to appease them by abstaining from Palestinian Statehood vote in UN despite their very vocal support for Palestinian cause for more than three decades. This angered Saudi Arabia which refused its air space for defence equipment flying from Pakistan.
Nigeria is largest by economy and population in Africa. It hosts richest African people and largest military of Africa. Northern Nigeria is predominantly Muslim while southern is Christian. There are three major tribes Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Tribal bonds are stronger than religious ones in countryside. Northern Nigeria is stronghold of opposition parties to current president who is ruling for 6 years and is competing for another 4 year term in coming election. He is a Christian from South and BH phenomenon took root in his tenure.
North and South have had their differences for very long. In fact northern and southern Nigeria was combined into one country by British during their colonial rule. Southern Nigeria broke apart in 1967 and proclaimed itself as Biafra state which was supported by West at that time. After a civil war, Nigeria reunited as one country in 1970.
Nigeria remained under military rule both from southern and northern military leaders. After return to democracy in 1993, civil leaders have seen military with suspicion and kept it underfunded. Nepotism also was a favorite tool to keep dangers of coup away. This resulted in reduction of military capacity of Nigeria much to the comfort of democratic leaders. No territorial dispute with its neighbours also adds to equation. For past one decade, southern Christians have ruled the country and much of the development has focused towards south. Neglect of northern part fueled anger among Muslims which are slightly more in population.
Greatest influence over Muslims are the 'Emirs' which are highly respected. Boko Haram phenomenon however is result of Muslims who viewed Emirs as influenced by government incentives. It started as a non violent movement and in fact gathered considerable support among Muslims in the north. Movement however turned violent after it's leader was captured and killed by government. This was perceived as Christian southern killing a northern Muslim for his faith. Movement initially targeted Christians in sudden raids on far flung villages in hit and run. As Nigerian army with poor equipment, under funded and with no support from Democratic government retreated, BH started to hold territory.
BH benefitted from Libyan civil war as heavy weapons made its way to northern Nigeria after Libyan military lost control over its arms depots. Nigerian government initially tried to dismiss BH as insignificant however it soon became clear that large part is territory had been lost. They were caught off-guard and ill prepared. After BH started attacking Muslim villages and killing them in large numbers common Muslims turned to Emirs. Emirs announced movement un Islamic and since then have been targeted in suicide attacks killing at least one Emir while three had narrow escapes. BH does not differentiate between Christian and Muslims now. In its recent attacks including an attack on Mosque of an Emir, Muslims casualties are much higher. Recent attack on Baga which is Muslim majority town is also an example of that.
Present government has lost popularity both in South and North because of its inability to control BH. Now the conspiracy theory is that they have supported this insurgency to curtail northern influence. At the same time if election can not be held in effected states then present government might win another term.
Nigerian military has taken a hit on its reputation (which otherwise had a very good record in African conflicts especially Liberia and Sierra Leone where they successfully crushed insurgencies). This conflict has sent military scrambling for defense equipment from all over the world. Citing Human Rights abuses, west had refrained from providing anything more than Intel and some basic training. Nigeria first made them angry by an outburst of their ambassador to US. They subsequently tried to appease them by abstaining from Palestinian Statehood vote in UN despite their very vocal support for Palestinian cause for more than three decades. This angered Saudi Arabia which refused its air space for defence equipment flying from Pakistan.
