Southern China International
MUN
Official Background Guide
Committee of Disarmament: Supporting the West African Forces in Combatting
the Boko Haram
Chair: Young Su Kang
I.
Description
a. History
As an Islamic extremist group formed in 2002 Nigeria, Boko Haram
has caused violent attacks on public facilities, governments, and the United
Nations to attain its ultimate goal of forming an Islamic state in Northern
Nigeria. ‘Boko Haram’ (often times translated as “Western Education is
forbidden”) must be understood with the context of Nigeria’s status. The
instability and poverty in Nigeria leaves many parts unsupported and destitute.
The situation is scarcer in the North than in the South. Driven by a belief that
false Muslim leaders are controlling the nation, Mohammad Yusuf founded
Boko Haram to “ameliorate” the country with strict obedience to Islamic rule,
Sharia. The first open conflict, which injured more than 20 Boko Haram
members, happened in 2009 when they violated Road Traffic Act. Although
seemingly insignificant, this incident initiated violent uprisings, including gun
battles and bomb plantings. As a result, Yusuf was captured by the government
forces and killed immediately at that incident (Smith, 1).
The Boko Haram went underground for a year but returned with
devastating attacks, mainly to revenge for its original leader, Yusuf. Now that
Abubakar Shekau, Yusuf’s deputy, has become the leader, catastrophic threats
emerge more frequently. The range of victims also enlarged from civilians to
the whole nation. A suicide aggressor implanted an auto bomb into UN
headquarters in the capital Abuja in August 2011, taking lives of 23 innocent
individuals. Due to frequent kidnaps and terrorisms by Boko Haram, President
Goodluck Jonathan announced an emergency, organizing more government
forces to circumvent the situation. Remaining stubborn, the group responded
with what had triggered a global attention in 2014, kidnapping 276 students in
Chibok and murdering citizens (Smith, 1).
Event
Time
Formation of Boko Haram
2002
First open conflict between Boko
2009
Haram and police (Smith, 1)
Attacks a mosque in Maiduguri
2010
to suppress Muslims who
opposes the group’s ideology
Attacks the UN regional
2011
headquarters in Abuja
Attacks six churches, four police
2011
stations, the State Security
Services building, and colleges
Kills more than 500 Christians in
2012
Kano, the second biggest city in
Nigeria
Boko Haram makes its first
2012
incursion towards the border
with Cameroon
Releases a video calling for “a
2012
jihad against the UK, the US and
Israel” (“Timeline: Boko
Haram’s deadly evolution”, 1)
President Goodluck Jonathan
2013
declares a state of emergency
The U.S. and British government
2013
designates Boko Haram as one
of the terrorist groups
Kidnaps 276 students in Chibok/
2014
First global attention
United Nations designate Boko
2014
Haram as an Al-Qaeda affiliate
The Council’s press statement
2015
“urged the Economic
Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) and the
Economic Community of Central
African States (ECCAS) and
their members to adopt a
common strategy and develop
active cooperation and
coordination to more effectively
and urgently combat the threat
posed by Boko Haram at their
upcoming Summit” (“Security
Council condemns Boko Haram
attacks in northeast Nigeria,
Chad”, 1)
Takes control of all three
2015
international borders of the
Borno state / pledges allegiance
to ISIL
UN emergency funds seek to aid
1.7 million Africans uprooted by
Boko Haram violence
2016
b. Recent Developments
Currently, Boko Haram publicized its allegiance to a larger terrorist
group ISIL, also known as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levante, leading this
event seemingly insurmountable. Until now, the conflict between Boko Haram
and the Nigerian government caused severe humanitarian consequences. Many
people have been internally displaced in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian
government asks the international community to support four basic aids for the
treatment of people: Medical, Nutritional, Schooling, and Psychological needs
(“Timeline: Boko Haram’s deadly evolution”, 1). Many countries, including
United States, France, China, and Cameroon, have sent troops to support
Nigerian army. The United Nations emergency funds also seek to aid 1.7
million Africans uprooted by Boko Haram violence (un.org).
II.
Emphasis of the Discourse
a. Right wing approach
In solving this crisis, there are various ways in which one can
contribute to monumental breakthroughs. Here are some methods that a
conservative politician would support: 1. Strengthen current laws and ratify a
new policy of zero tolerance for upheavals. 2. Set up conferences with
neighboring countries to review the domestic situations. 3. Intensify military
forces on the borders to restrain any movements of armed groups to other
nations. The main focus of a traditionalist policymaker is to enhance law
regulations that can play a pivotal role in prohibiting Boko Haram’s further
actions. These suggestions can indeed raise public awareness about serious
violent issues and nonetheless alarm armed groups to hinder revolutions.
However, simply imposing harsh laws may not soothe extremists’ idealisms.
Forcing military responses to extremists may not be the best approach to
resolve the crisis.
b. Left wing approach
A liberal politician would insist these solutions: 1. Accept the
government’s action of extrajudicially executing Yusuf and start negotiating
with Boko Haram to compromise each side’s views. 2. Accredit ambassadors
to seek help from other countries. 3. Establish programs to support poverty,
clear war remnants, and help injured citizens. The motive of a progressive
policymaker is to approach this situation in a more liberal way. Once again,
such liberal approaches can resolve the crisis in a more political manner and
spread these serious issues to other nations, contributing to global support. On
the other hand, critics might argue that such “tolerant weapons” to settle
terrorizing groups will not trigger beneficial results because it is absolutely
difficult to meet the needs of Boko Haram.
c. Stances of Intergovernmental Organizations
The United Nations emergency fund has announced new grants of $31
million to four countries in the region. “Many people have lost everything.
Hundreds of thousands of women and children continue to bear the brunt of
the Boko Haram violence,” says the UN Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien,
granting to support humanitarian partners in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and
Niger. Moreover, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
announced its support to provide immediate shelters and nutrition needs. With
125 UN Member States involved, the United Nations constantly is working to
come up with better methods (un.org).
After the United Nation Security Council’s urge to The Economic
Community of Central African States (ECCAS) that it “adopts a common
strategy and develop active cooperation and coordination to more effectively
and urgently combat the threat posed by Boko Haram at their upcoming
Summit”. The measures that ECCAS will impose include all obligations under
international law, in particular international human rights law, international
humanitarian law and refugee law (“Security Council condemns Boko Haram
attacks in northeast Nigeria, Chad”, 1).
d. Stance of developed countries
The United States is helping the Nigerian government to attempt more
coordinated, successful, and responsible actions to guarantee safety in
Nigeriai, including extended knowledge sharing. After the kidnap crisis in
Chibok, The U.S. government furnished the Nigerian government with
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to support Nigeria's
endeavors to find the missing students. President Obama reported Nigeria's
participation in the Security Governance Initiative (SGI) during the U.S.Africa Leaders Summit in 2014. SGI is a Presidential activity in which the
United States and Nigeria will work to enhance security segment
establishment capacity to ensure citizens and stand up to challenges and
dangers, with uprightness and responsibility. The U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) is propelling the Nigeria Regional
Transition Initiative to enhance stability and reinforce democratic
establishments in Northern Nigeria. The institution will concentrate on
building the resistance of groups vulnerable to the impacts of fierce fanatic
associations, and violent conflicts between the government and Boko Haram;
educate youths to ward off extremist influences (“FACT SHEET: U.S. Efforts
to Assist the Nigerian Government in its Fight against Boko Haram”, 1).
China has agreed to help Nigeria in its battle against Boko Haram.
Premier Li Keqiang guaranteed to give "any valuable data procured by China's
satellites and insight administrations," according to President Goodluck
Jonathan after their discussions in the capital Abuja in 2014. It provides
satellite imagery and military equipment to the Nigerian military to offer it
some assistance with monitoring Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria. Li
cautioned however that incautious help to the Nigerian military could
debilitate the situation, adding that Nigeria's principle difficulties would not be
handled by such worldwide help (“China pledges help to Nigeria’s hunt for
Boko Haram militants”, 1).
France and the U.K., with the United States, have sent armies to help
the Nigeria's battle against Boko Haram. France organized to send 3,000
troops in Nigeria. Israel and Canada likewise promised support. New Zealand,
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and United Arab Emirates have assigned
Boko Haram as a terrorist organization (ohchr.org).
e. Stance of developing countries
In responding to the frequent attacks and gun fights in Nigeria,
President Gookluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in 2013. The
government has organized military forces to combat Boko Haram in any
circumstances. Despite these actions, the Nigerian government is often met
with preposterous criticism. In the first place, President Jonathan is believed to
regard the situation as a domestic crisis that required subtle treatment.
However, the president was not accurately informed, never got a handle on the
gravity of the danger and neglected to give reliable and sound approach
direction to drive a powerful counterinsurgency. On the whole, it is expected
that such erroneous responses will be fixed. Moreover, Nigeria's
counterinsurgency procedure has been limped by provincial question and
frequent objections. A multinational power settled upon by Nigeria and its
neighbors exists just on paper. Nigeria keeps on demanding a power "under
the protection of the Lake Chad Basin Commission," while neighboring
nations incline toward a power approved by the United Nations or African
Union. These disparity should be eliminated immediately.
After a progression of meetings over months, Cameroon's foreign
minister reported on 30 November 2014 that a coalition power to ward off
terrorism, including Boko Haram, would soon be operational. The African
army incorporates 3,500 soldiers from Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and
Nigeria.
III.
Possible Solutions
a. In favor of developed countries
The favorable approach of developed countries is to send military
forces to suppress Boko Haram’s movements and to initiate long term war
with the group. Their main focus is not to concentrate on territory loss but to
ameliorate the crisis by destroying the group completely. Many of developed
nations, including United States, France, and China, had already sent troops to
Northern Nigeria and is planning on further military aids. The practicality of
the approach is that Boko Haram’s absolute upheaval is possible. Such strong
protests can lead to huge war crisis. On a global scale, developed nations’
support can play a pivotal role in resolving the situation. However, in a closer
examination, it is likely that many civilians in the region will get significant
damages due to constant wars. Also, any environmental contaminations and
nuclear effects may occur in the future.
b. In favor of developing countries
The main motive of developing countries is to provide support that can
minimize territory losses and human damages. Since many of developing
countries are reluctant to help Nigeria explicitly, they do not support public
attentions to Nigeria than do developed countries. Bordering countries are to
some extent afraid of Boko Haram’s sporadic attacks on innocent citizens. On
the other hand, Cameroon, Benin, and Chad prepared troops to support
civilians in the region and ward off Boko Haram in cities. The approaches of
these countries is indeed critical and can resolve humanitarian problems in the
Northern Nigeria by supporting nutritional and military needs. However, these
supports in a global scale cannot stop Boko Haram from continuing violent
actions to bordering countries and innocent citizens because Boko Haram will
not stop enlarging its idealism with minor battles with developing countries.
IV.
Keep in mind the following
How should delegates prepare for the topic of “Supporting the West
African Forces in Combatting the Boko Haram”? It may be possible that the
delegates might derail from the main focus by concentrating on developments
of military equipment to ward off Boko Haram. The main focus is that
delegates should come up with resolutions that can aid West African Forces’
conflict with Boko Haram by considering the factors such as
intergovernmental issues, stance of developed and developing countries.
Resolving Boko Haram's threat requires intense and unequivocal political,
military and international actions, especially by Nigeria and intergovernmental
organizations. Military operations should be fortified, with more troops, better
gear and supplies. Strategies must move from the current protective stance to
harder operations to free groups and nationals held captive by the radicals. The
armed forces must direct operations with more noteworthy focus toward
protecting citizens. Politically, nothing can be looked upon immediately. Free
and reasonable decisions, delivering solid results, will be critical in gaining
agreements to counter the insurgency. Eventually, to keep Boko Haram from
turning into a international danger, Nigeria must form trust and certainty with
its neighbors. Moreover, given considerations about Western impact in the
Northern Nigeria, an international attack is plausible. This topic is at hand
political issues and delegates therefore must act with serious considerations
when approaching to the problem. The committee as a whole must debate with
practical solutions that can help improve the situation in Northern Nigeria, not
those of science fictions.
V.
Evaluation
The Boko Haram crisis is both a political and religious situation. Many
countries, including the United States, China, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the
United Kingdom, have fought against this Islamic terrorists to meet global
safety and maintenance. Reading actual methods promoted by these countries,
the chair highly recommends that delegates take innovative approaches when
tackling issues. The main point of this background guide is to provide
delegates with history of the issue, different perspectives of countries and
intergovernmental organizations, as well as an encouragement for delegates to
resolve the crisis with intellectual ideas. Therefore, at the end of the
conference, the chair hopes that efficacious measures would be suggested and
debated with concerns and respect.
VI.
Bibliography
"China Pledges Help to Nigeria's Hunt for Boko Haram Militants." South China Morning Post. Web.
22 Jan. 2016. <http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1507498/china-pledgeshelp-nigerias-hunt-boko-haram-militants>.
"FACT SHEET: U.S. Efforts to Assist the Nigerian Government in Its Fight against Boko Haram."
The White House. The White House. Web. 22 Jan. 2016. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/thepress-office/2014/10/14/fact-sheet-us-efforts-assist-nigerian-government-its-fight-againstboko->.
"Human Rights Council Opens Special Session in Light of Terrorist Attacks and Human Rights
Abuses by Boko Haram." UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE OF THE HIGH
COMMISSIONER. UNITED NATIONS, 1 Apr. 2015. Web.
<http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15786&LangID=
E>.
"New UN Emergency Funds Seek to Aid 1.7 Million Africans Uprooted by Boko Haram Violence."
UN News Center. UN, 2016. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52990#.VqLprZN96Rs>.
"Security Council Condemns Boko Haram Attacks in Northeast Nigeria, Chad." UN News Center.
UN, 2015. Web. 22 Jan. 2016. <https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50511>.
SMITH, MIKE. "FACTSHEET: Explaining Nigeria's Boko Haram and Its Violent Insurgency Africa Check." Africa Check. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
<https://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-explaining-nigerias-boko-haram-and-its-violentinsurgency/>.
"The Blight of Boko Haram." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 2015. Web. 22 Jan. 2016.
<http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/01/daily-chart-10>.
"Timeline: Boko Haram's Deadly evolution." Boko Haram's Deadly Evolution – FT.com.
FINANCIAL TIMES. Web. 22 Jan. 2016. <http://ig.ft.com/sites/2015/boko-haramtimeline/>.