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Boko Haram and the African Union’s Response
Francis Mbawini Abugbilla
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DOI:10.17265/2328-2134/2017.04.004
Boko Haram is wreaking havoc in the West African nation of Nigeria and the sub-region at large. The terror has seen Nigeria shaken to its core and stretched to its limits, socially, politically, and economically, with the abduction of the Chibok school girls serving as an epitome of the country’s powerlessness to contain the Islamic militants. The homegrown insurgency is now a fully-fledged terrorist organization adopting a transnational posture, which has kept Nigeria decentralized and vulnerable and is endangering neighboring countries in the region. The Nigerian government has the onus task of regaining stability, restoring peace and general well-being of the citizens. Responses from these governments have been varied but mainly militaristic. The article assesses the response of the continental body—the African Union (AU). I observe that the AU has not directional or positional approach to the Nigerian conundrum. There has been, however, a potent coalition—multinational task force to contain the violent; the only effective response from Nigeria’s neighbors and this is because of geopolitical proximity. I suggest as long term solutions, non-militaristic approaches to the Nigerian dilemma and addressing corruption.
human security, terrorism, violence, African Union (AU)