Terrorism in a Weak and Failing State in Relation to Boko Haram Islamic Fundamentalist in Nigeria
Terrorism in a Weak and Failing State in Relation to Boko Haram Islamic Fundamentalist in Nigeria
Abstract Submissions Closed
RC01 Armed Forces and Conflict Resolution (host committee)
Language: English
The phenomenon of terrorism has become a global issue of concern since the September 11 attacks. Much literature has tried to present the prevailing of terrorism as a product of a weak or failing state. In such states, particularly among some of the sub-Saharan African countries, widespread corruption, unemployment, bad governance, high levels of illiteracy, get-rich-quick syndrome, and porous borders provide bases for the emergence of insurgent groups. This leads to the situation where the central government has a poor capacity to control public order within its territory, is unable to consistently control its borders, cannot reliably maintain viable public institution services, and is vulnerable to extra-constitutional domestic challenges.
Despite all efforts by the Nigerian government to overcome the problem of Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 the sect has carried out various attacks against members of the security forces, civilians, and government offices. Since then, the impact of terrorism has plateaued rather than decreased, which has resulted in the loss of thousands in the country.
The name Boko Haram is a combination of two words in the Hausa language: “Boko” means “Western education” and “Haram” means “sinful” or “forbidden,” so that put together, Boko Haram means “Western education is sinful or forbidden” although its official name is “Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad” (i.e. People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet’s Teaching and Jihad).
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