Nigerian Movements Dan, Adam, and Cara

General Background Huge economic diversity in Nigeria between the north and south Sharia law in north, non-Sharia law in the south. Southern Nigeria has large oil reserves, northern Nigeria is lacking in oil reserves. Lake Chad is drying up, taking away some of the northern states surviving industries.

Boko Haram Founded in 2001 by Mohammed Yusuf Initially attracted kanuri fisherman from the Borno state Yusuf called for a boycott of western education, called for stricter adherence to the Koran, and taught that the world is flat. He was eccentric and conservative but nonviolent, and his preaching showed that.

What happened? The discipline sect of Boko Haram received free education and food, more than what the state could provide, so it was viewed as a threat. 2002- the governor attacks and drives Boko Haram away However, during the crackdown more people joined Boko Haram, including foreign Muslim militants. After 2002, Boko Haram went underground and trained for revenge. 2009- Boko Haram reemerges as a violent group against Nigerian rule (not neccesarily against western ideals)

Government response Government has responded by sending in troops to shoot. Very crude methods, shooting crowds and arresting innocent people. Somewhat successful, but with Boko Haram becoming more sophisticated, Sambo Dasuki is trying a new anti-terror strategy by negotiating with them.

Results Over 1,000 people killed each year from 2009-2012. Northern half of country has fallen to anarchy. Reach has extended from the state of Borno to across Nigeria.

Discussion Questions If Boko Haram was a nonviolent group looking to improve the quality of life, why did it become militant? Is negotiation possible?

Republic of Biafra When Nigeria won its independence from Britain, borders were not drawn to what the ethnic borders were. The people of Biafra consisted almost entirely of the Igbo people from southeastern Nigeria.

The Republic of Biafra (1967-1970 “unrecognized” state)

The domination of OIL in the East/South of Nigeria

What Happened? Secession caused mainly due to economic, ethnic, cultural and religious pressures and tensions across the region. On May 30, 1967, military governor Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu announced the Republic of Biafra.

Government response Federal Military Government of the Northern Region launched "police measures" in hopes of overrunning the Eastern Region causing a violent war with the Biafra people. Government forces starvation by preventing all food supplies from entering region

results The war (1967-1970) resulted in 100,000+ military casualties but between 500,000 and 2 million Biafran civilians died due to starvation forced by government. War ended when the Nigerian Army led by Colonel Benjamin Adekunle (known as "The Black Scorpian") split Biafra in half leading to Ojukwu fleeing to Côte d'Ivoire and leaving his chief of staff, Philip Effiong, to submit to the FMG, forcing Biafra to be reabsorbed into Nigeria.

Discussion Questions How has the Republic of Biafra been able to maintain presence in today’s Nigeria?

MEND Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, is a large militant group in the Niger Delta region. They claim that they work to expose the oppression of the people of the region as well as the devastation of the environment by partnerships between the government and oil corporations.

What Happened? Niger Delta politicians originally created the gangs by arming young men to us as their private armies and to rig elections. However, the men soon began to turn their guns on the government and oil companies, organizing into a militant movement. These gangs kidnap oil workers, attack oil fields, blow up pipelines, and fight against Nigeria’s army.

Government Response An act of amnesty aimed at reducing unrest in region was issued on April 25, 2009. President Umaru Yar’Adua offered unconditional pardons and cash payments to rebels who laid down their arms. Those who were sick of fighting turned themselves in, but not everyone did.

Results Rewards from the amnesty process were highly unevenly shared and the dialogue between the government and MEND failed to produce any tangible results. Now, violence from MEND continues, and many believe that the amnesty was a fraud. Just a few days ago, MEND rebels threatened to bomb mosques and kill clerics.

Discussion Questions How does MEND reflect Nigeria’s political culture?