DIIS Policy Brief

Only a multifaceted approach will defeat Boko Haram

The Jihadist violence in Nigeria continues

On January 30, 2016 Boko Haram killed yet another 86 people in an attack in Maiduguri in Northern Nigeria. As part of the assault three female suicide bombers blew themselves up close to camps where internally displaced people had sought shelter from the six years long insurgency. The next day, another two attacks happened in the neighbouring country Chad reportedly killing more than 50 people.

These incidents cast doubts on newly elected Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari’s claim on December 24 2015 to have “technically” defeated Boko Haram. Boko Haram has now killed more than 20.000 people making it the world’s deadliest terror group, forcing over 2 million people to flee their homes.

In this new brief Sine Plambech and Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde argues that combatting Boko Haram and addressing insecurity in Nigeria require a multifaceted approach. The brief provides an overview of the situation and suggests a number of policy recommendations;

  • Defense forces should support the regional taskforce to avoid human rights abuses during the counter-insurgency.
  • Root causes of the insurgency i.e. political and economic marginalisation should be addressed by supporting development in northern Nigeria.
  • The role of women within Boko Haram and as protesters against Boko Haram should be included in future interventions and policies.
  • International donors should contribute to long-term development solutions in the region alongside immediate humanitarian aid .

DIIS Experts

Sine Plambech
Migration and global order
Senior Researcher
+45 6065 0479
Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde
Migration and global order
Senior Researcher
none
Defeating Boko Haram requires a multifaceted approach
Jihadist violence in Nigeria continues