Identify two reasons why the militants of Boko Haram
have become so strong. Explain why they
are able to gain so much power and reek so much havoc across the country. Why is it easier for terrorists to gain power
in developing nations?
Here is the corresponding article.
One of the reasons why the militants of Boko Haram have become so strong is its use of force to recruit fighters from villages. Through conscription, the villagers are forced to join the group or else be killed by the terrorist group. Therefore, the use of force and its unique method of recruitment, the Boko Haram became strong among local people and were able to expand their influence to other areas in Nigeria. Another reason is its method of getting money resources from businessmen and government politicians by threatening to abduct their families and them. Therefore, the use of force and extorting money through abduction makes the militants of Boko Haram become so strong. It is easier for terrorist to gain power because of the limited political institution and the government’s poor enforcement of laws to protect its citizens from the terrorist group. The instability of government makes it easier for terrorists to gain power in developing nations.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your last statement about the unstable governments allow for terrorist groups, such as the Boko Haram, to flourish. These LDCs lack the institutional control to prevent radical groups from expanding their influence. The fact that they can easily threaten wealthy businessmen in the country with no defense from the government is telling. There is no substantial force in place to keep the violence down to low levels that a functional government should.
DeleteI agree, Boko Haram is using fear tactics in order to gain strength. It is really effective, as you said, because of the weak and unstable government in Nigeria. I think that another reason why the terrorists are able to gain so much power is because of the higher incidence of poverty in developing nations like Nigeria. Groups like Boko Haram gain control of the money, and soon, they become one of the very few ways that people can continue to live, and earn a living. So through a combination of fear and control, Boko Haram can consolidate and retain power.
ReplyDeleteThe Boko Haram terrorist group have become so strong by receiving money in the form of ransom payments when they have abducted wealthy Nigerians and French. They also overrun police stations and military bases in Nigeria in order to develop its huge arsenal of armor vehicles and explosive weapons. The militant group is able to gain power by overwhelming the Nigerian army in a small village and then conscripting the males en masse, lest they be slaughtered for opposition. They are motivated by the notion to eliminate the corrupt Nigerian elite ruling class, although the Boko Haram group undergoes its operation through the use of violent methods to impose fear and rule in weaker areas of Nigeria. It is easier for terrorists to gain power in developing nations because there is not much of an institutional foundation in LDCs, which creates a grounds for radical change to occur. In an area where locals are open to change from the initially corrupt government, militant groups can come in and gradually take over.
ReplyDeleteI agree and interestingly enough Cameroon seems to be doing far better at dealing with Boko Haram than Nigeria, despite it having a smaller army. This could possibly be because it is not as corrupt or that there
DeleteMilitary is better organized.
I agree as well. It is interesting how a radical group could grow so large and powerful and eventually conquer land the size of Belgium. This conflict could also potentially escalate into an international conflict if they seize land from neighboring country, Chad, Cameroon and Niger since France will feel compelled to protect it's former colonies.
Delete