generalspeaking

A Calculated Political Stratagem

"From the discussions, [Boko Haram's representatives] indicated their desire for, and willingness to discuss and resolve all associated issues. They also assured that the schoolgirls and all other people in their captivity are all alive and well."
Mike Omeri, anti-terrorism spokesman, Nigeria

"He's having a tough run with Boko Haram, and he needs a boost. It's the main thing that people are concerned about, security. If he can score a ceasefire, great. If he can bring the girls back, even better. But we've not yet heard from Boko Haram. Until then, we're taking this with a little salt."
Western diplomat, Lagos, Nigeria

"This ceasefire is incredibly promising, but we aren't there yet. Until every girl is released, negotiations must continue."
"We are excited about the possibility of restoring peace in the country, but these girls must remain a priority and we therefore urge the government to ensure that the safety of all of them is guaranteed as part of any truce."
Hussaini Abdu, country director, ActionAidNigeria

Police in riot gear block a route in Abuja, Nigeria, on Tuesday, October 14, during a demonstration calling on the Nigerian government to rescue schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. In April, more than 200 girls were abducted from their boarding school in northeastern Nigeria, officials and witnesses said.

A ceasefire agreement between the government of Nigeria and the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Boko Haram; right. It's clear enough why the government would like to seal an agreement with the group. It would represent a victory of law and order, safety and security, every government's primary obligation, over violent lawlessness and murderous actions imperilling the lives of Nigerians. Nigerians suffering unspeakable trauma with entire villages being wiped out, hundreds of schoolgirls abducted and raped.

What's in it, on the other hand, for Boko Haram, an conscienceless religious-fundamentalist-driven jihadist-fanatic group whose resolve and purpose is to destroy the government of Nigeria, to impose a relentless Islamist-purist reign of terror on this most populous of African countries, wealthy with oil but whose military has been compromised by militant infiltration, and which has proven itself incapable of protecting vulnerable civilians.

With Boko Haram unstoppable in its murderous forays, exulting at all its unopposed victories, spreading trauma and terror, creating untold numbers of fearful fleeing refugees, what would lead them to sign a peace treaty with a government proven incapable of fulfilling its obligations as a state? Nothing. Nothing whatever. Leading any onlooker to the inescapable conclusion that this is an election ploy by President Goodluck Jonathan, to gain the confidence and gratefulness of the electorate, to buy into his cynical ploy for re-election.

The peace announcement surfaced mere days after protesters marched in Abuja on the six-month anniversary of the abduction of 218 schoolgirls remaining in captivity. Whichever of them remains, not yet sold into slavery. The remainder without doubt in a perpetual state of shock and hopeless despair over their unimaginable plight as slaves to service Boko Haram. Rescue of the girls has been compromised by their separation into discrete groups. The fear of rescuers resorting to violent action to release the girls leads as well to fears of their death in the effort. Negotiations are seen as key to their release.


Since Boko Haram doesn't appear disposed to release them, relishing their position enabling them to be both loathed and feared, since this too adds to their power base, why would they agree to a ceasefire with the government? Their aspiration for the future is to acquire an ever wider area of northern Nigeria, and they've set about this objective with relentless zeal. What could the government of Nigeria possibly offer them that would temper that zeal, and tempt them to surrender their vision?

Nigerians desperately need a new, effective, trustworthy administration to govern the affairs of the country and make a real effort to cleanse it of its murderous terrorist marauders.

Labels: Al-Qaeda, Child Abuse, Conflict, Nigeria

posted by Pieface @ Monday, October 20, 2014