The Boko Haram Uprising: how should Nigeria respond? (original) (raw)

2012, Third World Quarterly

This article analyses the conditions for jihadist expansion in the Sahel region. The vacuum, which was created by the war in Libya, plays, of course, an important role. However, it is primarily the weakness of the state in this region which favours jihadist activities. Inadequate legitimacy, inefficiency, and corruption of governments as well as structural poverty and unemployment make such movements attractive. The author focuses on mid-and long-term regional co-operation, including the key regional player Algeria, and on efforts to restabilise failing states rather than on military intervention.