This study unravels the impact of Boko Haram insurgency on Nigeria’s relations with its Neighbours. This study analyses the nature and character of Nigeria’s neighbours and discovers that it is most time responsible for a low profile in Nigeria’s foreign policy gesture towards them. This phenomenon is not unconnected to their perception of Nigeria as a hegemonic power in its neighbourhood given Nigeria demographic, economic and military preponderance over them. This perception of Nigeria by its neighbours has over the years contributed to their frosty relations notably; the hostile gestures of Chad and Cameroon towards Nigeria, the security concern that the internal crisis in Chad in the 1970s generated for Nigeria coupled with the presence of French forces in N’Djamena at the eve of the Nigerian Civil War. The study draws the attention to how Boko Haram insurgency further influences Nigeria’s relations with its neighbours. The outreach of Boko Haram insurgency beyond the boundary of Nigeria to include that of Nigeria’s neighbours has worsened the existing frosty relations among them. This is true if one considers the fact that the activities of the Boko Haram have gone beyond the north-eastern part of Nigeria, with its violent attacks on the Nigerien soil compounding the already existing economic crisis in Niger Republic, kidnapping of prominent citizens of Cameroon and foreign nationals for ransom motive, its use of Chad as a safe haven and notably, its thwarting of Nigeria’s influence in its neighbourhood, Boko Haram insurgency has forced Nigeria to concentrate more on its domestic issue. The study therefore, concludes by recommending to the government to adopt policies that are expansive and inclusive to address the crisis among which is the revamping of the socioeconomic condition and that attention should be given to border management and administration.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Research Objectives
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
1.7 Literature Review
1.8 Theoretical Framework
1.9 Research Methodology
1.10 Organisation of the Study
CHAPTER TWO
PRELIMINARY SURVEY
2.1 Understanding Neighbours
2.2 Conceptualising Insurgency
2.3 Understanding Nigeria in its Neighbourhood
2.4 Nature and Character of Nigeria’s Neighbours
CHAPTER THREE
HISTORICIZING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY
3.1 Origin of the Boko Haram Sect
3.2 Leadership and the Growth of the Boko Haram Group
3.3 Mode of Operation of Boko Haram
3.4 Boko Haram Networks
CHAPTER FOUR
IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND NIGERIA’S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS
4.1 Nigeria’s Relations with Niger Republic
4.2 Nigeria’s Relations with Chad
4.3 Nigeria’s Relations with Cameroon
4.4 Nigeria’s Relations with other Neighbours
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Policy Recommendations
Research Objectives & Topics
This study aims to investigate the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on Nigeria's foreign relations with its neighboring countries, exploring how this domestic security crisis has created new challenges and influenced the nation's regional standing and security policy.
- Analysis of Nigeria's historical relations with its neighboring states (Niger, Chad, Cameroon).
- Examination of the origins, ideology, and growth of the Boko Haram sect.
- Evaluation of the impact of the insurgency on regional peace, security, and economic stability.
- Investigation into how the porosity of borders has facilitated the transnational spread of terrorism.
- Assessment of the shift in Nigeria’s security and foreign policy in response to the insurgency.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Origin of the Boko Haram Sect
The origin of Boko Haram’s movement is difficult to explain; with little evidence to substantiate different allegations about its true agenda. However, according to the Nigerian Director of Defence Information, colonel Muhammad Yerima, the sect has existed since 1995, under the name of Ahlusuuna wal’jama’ahhijra. It was then led by Abubakar Lawan, who later left the country for studies at the University of Medina in Saudi Arabia. The sect has subsequently flourished under various names like the Nigerian Taliban, Yusufiyyah sect, Boko Haram and more recently, Islamic State in West Africa.
Northern Nigeria has a long tradition of Islamic fundamentalism, but it has generally been relatively non-political, focusing on withdrawal from society to study the Quran and living a pure religious life. However, there have also been instances of violent Islamist uprising against the state, such as the jihad of Dan Fodio in the 19th century, and the Maitatsine uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the beginning of the 19th century, the religious scholar, Usman Dan Fodio led a group of Muslims of Fulani tribe in a protest against the two prominent Muslim civilisations in the region (the Hausa cities of northern Nigeria and the sultanese of Borno), arguing that the rulers were oppressive, did not observe the proper Islamic law and even allowed the practice of Islam to be fixed with traditional religion. He thus led his followers to exile in order to establish a true Islamic state and later called for jihad by launching an attack that established Sokoto Caliphate (also called Fulani Empire), stretching across northern Nigeria and into neighbouring states. As maintained by David Cook; the legacy of Dan Fodio’s ideology which focused on withdrawing from the society to study the Quran and jihad has been followed by some northern Nigerian Muslims including Boko Haram.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the study, covering the background of the conflict, research questions, objectives, and the methodology used to analyze the impact of the insurgency.
CHAPTER TWO: PRELIMINARY SURVEY: This chapter provides a conceptual foundation by defining insurgency and analyzing Nigeria's diplomatic and historical context within its neighborhood.
CHAPTER THREE: HISTORICIZING THE BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY: This chapter examines the historical roots, leadership evolution, operational tactics, and international networks of the Boko Haram group.
CHAPTER FOUR: IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND NIGERIA’S RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS: This chapter assesses the specific security and economic impacts of the insurgency on Nigeria's relations with Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and other neighbors.
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION: This chapter summarizes the findings and offers policy recommendations to address the ongoing security crisis through regional cooperation and internal reform.
Keywords
Boko Haram, Nigeria, Insurgency, International Relations, Foreign Policy, Sahel, Terrorism, Border Porosity, Lake Chad Basin, Security, Jihad, Political Marginalization, West Africa, National Security, Transnational Crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work explores how the Boko Haram insurgency, originally a domestic Nigerian crisis, has evolved into a transnational security threat that significantly affects Nigeria's diplomatic and security relations with its neighboring countries.
What are the central themes discussed in this study?
Key themes include the impact of religious extremism, the effect of porous borders on regional security, the historical context of Islamic fundamentalism in Northern Nigeria, and the challenge of managing regional foreign relations under the pressure of insurgency.
What is the core research objective?
The primary goal is to examine the extent to which the Boko Haram insurgency has altered Nigeria’s external relations and forced a reassessment of its security policies regarding its immediate neighbors.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The study utilizes secondary sources, including academic literature, newspaper reports, official government documents, and international publications, analyzed through a descriptive research method.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the conceptualization of insurgency, the origins and leadership history of Boko Haram, and a detailed assessment of how the group’s activities have strained relations with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon specifically.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
The study is best characterized by terms such as Boko Haram, Nigeria, Insurgency, Regional Security, Foreign Policy, and Border Porosity.
How does the author explain the growth of the insurgency?
The author highlights multiple factors, including widespread poverty, political marginalization in Northern Nigeria, the influence of historical religious fundamentalism, and the failure of state intelligence.
What role do the neighboring countries play in the insurgency?
Neighboring countries are affected by the spill-over of violence, refugee crises, and the use of their territories as transit routes or safe havens for insurgents, which in turn forces them to forge security-based collaborations with Nigeria.
What does the study conclude regarding the future of Nigerian relations?
It concludes that the insurgency necessitates a shift in Nigeria's foreign policy toward more intensive security cooperation and a focus on effective border management to maintain regional stability.
- Quote paper
- Monsuru Rasaq (Author), 2016, Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on Nigeria’s Relations with its Neighbours, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/372063
