Terrorist Organization: Boko Haram - Research Paper Example

 Boko Haram The world has witnesses many terrorist organizations fighting for different causes and motives. Some of them fight in the name of religion, others for sect, and yet some others exist just to spread violence and terrorism around the world. United States, since 9/11, has been the victim of a fresher wave of violence that begun spreading all over the globe. This paper will discuss the terrorist profile of Boko Haram, taking into account its goals, attacks, propaganda, and other issues. Terrorist Organization: Boko Haram Boko Haram is the Hausa name given to the congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad. It is a terrorist organziation and takfiri militant and Islamic Jihadist in nature and is established in the northeastern part of Nigeria, Niger and North Cameroon. Boko Haram was pioneered in the year 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf, and works for the purpose of establishing an absolutely Islamic state that is governed by the laws of sharia, along with bringing the concept of "Westernization" to a halt (David, 2011). Boko Haram is also renowned for its violent activities that include attacking government targets and Christians, bombing policy stations, schools, churches, and not merely kidnapping the tourists that have come from west, but also slaying many members belonging to the Islamic establishment. The insurgency by Boko Haram has given rise to the violence that has lead to approximately 10,000 deaths between the year 2002 and 2013 (Walker, Andrew, 2012). Many researchers and associated people doubt the linkage of organziation with the jihadist groups that functions outside Nigerian region. One of the military commanders in United States mentioned the possible connection of Boko Haram with the Al-Qaeda functioning in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), however no other evidences have been found regarding the international support. The group was designated as terrorist organziation by the government of United States on November 13, 2013. Ideology The organization, Boko Haram, was initially established in the form of a native group that, in 2009, turned subsequently into a Jihadist group. The main proposal promoted by the organization is that it is forbidden to interact with the Western world and favors the opposition to the Nigeria government and Muslim establishment in the country. The members, that are the part of Boko Haram, maintain absolutely no interaction with the native population of Muslims residing in Nigeria and assassinate people who are critical of their actions, even if they are Muslim clerics (Chothia, Farouk, 2012). Mohammed Yusuf, the figurehead of the group in 2009, while giving interview to BBC, mentioned that the scientific fact stating the earth to be spherical is in absolute opposition to the teachings of Islam and should, therefore, not be accepted. He also rejected the Darwinian theory of evolution along with the fact that rain that pours down from the water is evaporated through the sunlight (US Department of State, 2014). A research was conducted into Boko Haram and Mohammed Yusuf by Dr Ahmad Murtada at the University of Bayero, in which he indicated the basic principles governing the groups which are as follows: Stress on the principles of 'Hakimiyyah' [sovereignty belongs only to the law of God]; The belief of being the "Saved Sect" as stated by the traditions of Prophet in Islam; Restriction on the studying in western centers of education for the reason that they are regarded as being founded on colonialism and traditions that are non-Islamic traditions, thus paving a way for critic sing Saudi Arabia for its utilization of the educational methods which are purely "Western"; Prohibition of rendering services in any role in civil service or governmental institution; A twisted meaning and wrong interpretation of the proclamations of researchers, writers and scholars of the classical tradition, like Ibn Taymiyyah, in order to assist their use of violence and rebellions; Close relationships with the post-2009 Al-Qaeda based in Islamic Maghreb along with more integration into the global Takfiri and Jihadi groups. Due to such unrealistic and misunderstood core values guiding Boko Haram, the Salafi tradition in Nigeria has repudiated and rejected in widely. Analysis of Attacks Boko Haram launched the military operations for Islamist rule in 2009 and conducetd its first attack in July 2009. The members of the organization set numerous churches, a prison and police station on fire leading to the deaths of hundreds in Maiduguri. In September 2010, 721 prisoners were set free by the group which included 105 members suspected of the sect, from the Bauchi jail in the region of northern Nigeria. In December 2010, Abubakar Shekau was the new figurehead of Boko Haram under whom the groups united and bombed the central Nigerian region, Jos, resulting in the killing of 80 people (Nnenna, 2013). The attacks on the Abuja barracks and those happened on the New Year's Eve are blamed on the organization and mark the start of the killing at mass level (Chris, James, Hassan and Leon, 2013). Later in June 2011, the headquarters of police in Abuja were bombed, leading to six killings. After two months, the headquarters of the United Nations located in capital were attacked which resulted in the destruction of the lower floor of the building. In the course of these attacks, dozens were injured including the killing of eighteen people. December 2011 witnessed multiple bomb attacks on the day of Christmas killing many people, and this also included the 35 people killed at Madalla's church of St Theresa (André, 2013). Shortly afterwards, another explosion took place which attacked the church located in Jos, killing a police officer. Besides these attacks, many others took place thus proving Boko Haram a terrorist organization. Strategy and Funding It was reported during March 2012 that the strategy of Boko Haram included the simulation of the high-profile Nigerians convoys in order to reach the target buildings which were fortified and secured. Through such strategies, the terrorist groups has also reported to have attacked worship centers of Christian for triggering the retaliation in different areas of the countries thus disturbing the and making them let loose attacks at other places. The strategy adopted by the group is popular for the use of motorcycles as transport for conducting the assassination on security and government officers, which has, in turn, resulted in the bans on motorcycle in Maiduguri city (Gillian, 2013). It has also been revealed that Internet is used by Boko Haram for the propagation of its activities along with circulating the f extremist ideologies and enhancing the radicalization of the group. The group is reported to be planning a great increase in its members in various other states of the country too. A recruitment drive has been started by Boko Haram, in which, the group is alleged of targeting and recruiting the Muslims in the age range 17 and 30, along with the prisoners that have been freed through prison breaks. Boko Haram is also famous for assigning the suicidal missions to non-Kanuris. Boko Hama does not have fixed certain sources to fund its activities. However, it is believed that the group is funded in part by other Islamist groups and bank robberies. The arrested officials revealed in February 2012 that though the donations from the organization's members are used for its funding initially, Boko Haram's connections with other organizations such as AQIM and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb have provided more ways for its funding in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. According to them, the Islamic World Society and Al Muntada Trust Fund have been the funding sources of Boko Haram (Campbell, John, 2013). The Nigerian officials were criticized much in the past for not being able to track a large part of the funding that was received by Boko Haram. It has been revealed that the local governments are extorted by the group for obtaining the so-called "protection money". It was also claimed by a spokesman of Boko Haram that state governor of Bauchi Isa Yuguda and state governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau have been paying the money to Boko Haram every month. The U.S. Department of State has designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, therefore, the U.S. nationals or government have banned their funding (Gillian, 2013). Ability of the U.S. homeland security policies to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram The homeland security policies in the United States are formed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which was created to respond to the attacks of September 11. DHA is one of the cabinet departments in the federal government of United States, and is primarily responsible for the protection of the United States and its regions from the attacks of terrorists along with responding to natural disasters and man-made accidents (Homeland Security, 2014). Just like the military actions undertaken abroad are charged for by the Department of Defense, the United States is provided protection to the civilians outside and in the borders through the Department of Homeland Security. The primary goal stated for the organization is to prevent, prepare for, and provide response to the local emergencies, specifically in case of terrorism. The homeland security department of the United States works with the following five missions: 1. Prevention of terrorism and enhancement of the security 2. Management and security of the borders 3. Administration and enforcement of the Immigration laws of United States 4. Safeguard and security of the cyberspace 5. Assurance of resilience to the disasters (Homeland Security, 2014) Boko Haram has been termed as a terrorist organziation by the United Sates. The organization describes itself as an Islamic sect that carries the beliefs that, in the northern Nigerian region, the concept of power and politics have been captured by a team of false and corrupt Muslims. The group, according to its motto, is created for the purpose of waging wars against such infidels and makes the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a “pure” Islamic state which is governed by the laws of sharia. The policies created by the United States Department of Homeland Security need to be tightened sufficiently in order to be able to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. The United States should adopt the low-key and nuanced approach in order to prevent actions which may alienate communities, elevate the crisis, and restrict any further alternatives for negotiation. The United States has adopted various policies for countering the threats posed by Boko Haram which did not prove to be fruitful. They are all discussed below. It was clearly evident in the report presented by the United States Committee on Homeland Security that, the capability and intent of Boko Haram was gravely underestimated with regards to attacking the homeland by the U.S. Intelligence Community. Such underrating has almost deadly consequences in Times Square in May 2010 and on Christmas Day over Detroit in 2009. It is thus, recommended by the Committee that the capability and intent of Boko Haram for its attacked in the United Sates Homeland should not be underestimated (William, 2013). It is suggested that the Secretary of State is required to undertake an investigation into the fact whether or not the organziation be designated the title of Foreign Terrorist Organization. This is according to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Section 219. Subsequent to the attacks of Boko Haram on headquarters of United Nations in Abuja, the Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, was called for the investigation for determining whether the designation of FTO was essential. The constant escalation by Boko Haram has proved that the FTO designation might be needed in order to provide the law enforcement and intelligence communities of the United States the essential that may guarantee that the group, Boko Haram, does not attack the United States Homeland or the United States interest. Thus, it needs to be determined whether the status of FTO be given to Boko Haram or not (Shane, 2011). The policies of the United Sates Department of Homeland Security must also enhance their intelligence collection regarding Boko Haram, which includes signals intelligence (SIGINT) as well as human intelligence (HUMINT). The department also needs to boost the liaison and communication relationship with the security services of Nigeria along with assisting in building their intent and capacity for fighting the threat that is given by Boko Haram to the United States and Nigerian interests. The policies of the organization do not take into account the conducting of outreach in the United States within Nigerian Diaspora Communities. This is also one of the major reasons that they are not able to counter the threats posed by Boko Haram to the United States homeland. It is necessary that the government of the United States develops good bilateral and other relationships with the Diaspora communities of Nigeria within the United States. In this way, they will be more able to learn about the activities and other details of Boko Haram along with the factors that have triggered its intent, evolution, targeting, and capability. Through personal and familial relationships, the Nigerian Diaspora communities established within the U.S. are likely to provide the United States Homeland Security Department more valuable and unique perspective regarding their home country (The Honorable Patrick Meehan, 2012). In order for the homeland security policies to work well, the Government Support of United States for the Nigerian Counterterrorism and Intelligence Programs needs to be enhanced. It is essential that the United States Government enhances it support for programs which, in turn, increases the Nigerian security forces in terms of their ability to target the Boko Haram's activities and evolution in a more effective manner. The Nigerian and United States governments need to function in collaboration with one another and enhance the intelligence collection. The homeland security policies maintained by the United States have not been able to function well in terms of Boko Haram's attack on the homeland. US needs to, thus, look for ways in which it can engage in a more meaningful and complete manner with the communities that are established in northern region of Nigeria, especially including the regions of northeastern states including Yobe and Borno. The first step should be taken by the State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations which may begin functioning in collaboration with the Embassy of United States in Abuja, nongovernmental organizations and the Nigerian government, along with gauging the northern priorities in economic growth, development, conflict mitigation, and security in a better manner (Jennifer, 2011). This will contribute in the support of unity and will assist in guiding an interagency response that will be long term, between Nigeria and United States. Besides this, for the policy to work properly, the government of the United States can should consider functioning in close association with the northern state governments and federal government of Nigeria, so that quick-impact projects may be devised in order to provide the state with some renewed sense the engagement of governments on development priorities and local needs, whether they be in construction, infrastructure, health, or sanitation. The major purpose of this step will win the government of United States some good will, which may possibly be short-term, local the leaders and communities (The Honorable Patrick Meehan, 2012). The United States Department of Homeland Security should respond to Boko Haram, by confining its engagement in security in order to strengthen the intelligence capacities of Nigeria. It may also advice on promoting the community engagement, measures on civilian protection, and encouraging the restraint, accountability, and professionalism (Jennifer, 2011). There are other engagement risks that are more direct association with the extremely unpopular and intrusive security responses that are provided to Boko Haram and they are likely to give rise to the perception which mentions that the federal government is empowered by the United States for adopting coercive measures in opposition of the northerners. Besides this, opening a United States consulate may be a measure which can be considered by the US in the northern Nigeria in order to expand the engagement and contact with the local and state government. This may also help maintaining good contacts with the civil society, leaders, business leaders, and other ordinary citizens. Moreover, the current policy of the United States has been considering establishing a consulate in Kano for some time. A great diplomatic engagement, instead of a withdrawal, is warranted by the post-election crisis of the 2011 in the Northern region which also include the emergence and rise of the Boko Haram phenomenon ((Jennifer, 2011). The Nigerian government needs to be encouraged and supported by the United States in a economic revitalization strategy in the north, which needs to be functional for a longer-term, and seek the foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities, investment in agricultural processing and productivity, enhancement in infrastructure, generation of employment, and offering of the incentive programs to local governments and state so that good faith investments may be made in the delivery of social services, transparency, and development. Any country as big as Nigeria, may undertake, for its administration and management, the devising of a Millennium Challenge Account model which may function at the sub-national level in order to reward and incentivize the strategies of good governance along with opening up the opportunities of economic potential (Jennifer, 2011). It is also recommended to the United States, that in order to make its policies of security more effective, the country should embark upon and continue to make its intelligence sharing and regional security cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stronger so that the Western states and regions may be able to enhance and improve their capabilities and capacities of interdicting and monitoring the flows of personnel and arms. In this manner, the possible connections and association among the terrorists or criminal networks can be identified. References André Burstin. (2013). Boko Haram and The risk of terrorism in northern Cameroon. ESISC Research Associate. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Campbell, John. (2013). Should U.S. fear Boko Haram? CNN. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Chothia, Farouk. (2012). Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists? BBC News. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014. Chris Agbambu, James Bwala, Hassan Ibrahim and Leon Usigbe. (2013). Bama attackers were Nigerians, Cameroonians. Nigerian Tribune. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 David Cook. (2011). The Rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Combating Terrorism Centre. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Gillian Parker. (2013). In Boko Haram country, Nigeria's new crackdown brings mixed feelings. CSMonitor.com. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Homeland Security. (2014). About DHS. Official website of the Department of Homeland Security. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Homeland Security. (2014). Mission. Official website of the Department of Homeland Security. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Jennifer G. Cooke. (2011). Boko Haram-Emerging Threat To The U.S. Homeland. CSIS. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Nnenna Ibeh. (2013). Boko Haram members flee to Niger as Nigerian military arrest 55 terrorists in Yobe, Borno. Premium Times. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Shane Wolfe. (2011). Homeland Security Committee Report Details Emerging Homeland Threat Posed by Africa-Based Terrorist Organization, Boko Haram. Committee on Homeland and Security. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 The Honorable Patrick Meehan. (2012). Boko Haram: An Overlooked Threat to U.S. Security. Committee on Homeland and Security. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 US Department of State. (2014). Foreign Terrorist Organizations. US Department of State. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Walker, Andrew. (2012). What is Boko Haram? US Institute of Peace. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 William L. Painter. (2013). Issues in Homeland Security Policy for the 113th Congress. Congressional Research Service. Web. Retrieved May 7, 2014 Read More