"A cocktail of motives: reflections on history, politics and social marginalisation in the Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria"
3:30pm - 5:00pm /
Friday 27th November 2015
Type: Seminar /
Category: Research
- Dmitri van den Bersselaar
- Admission: Free of charge
- Book now
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Contrary to wide spread narratives, the Boko Haram episode remains a complex reading of the modern socio-political history of Nigeria. While the Boko Haram has its main unique characteristics, it is still one more episode in a long history of the utilization of Islamic fundamentalism in the pursuance of socio-political goals in the country. However, the Boko Haram should be seen as straddling the attempts to rewrite the history of Islam in Nigeria; discontent with the political situation in Nigeria and a reflection and product of severe social marginalization seen largely as produced by the Nigerian state and its political elites. Therefore, the Boko Haram should not be treated wholly as a terrorist organization but as also a rude-awakening of the Nigerian state to confront systematic social marginalization; disempowerment of citizens and the increasing lacuna between the rulers and the ruled. Hence, the resolve to deal with the undoubted terror of the Boko Haram should also be matched with the desire to provide answers and solutions to some of the salient issues raised by the episode in the contemporary socio-political life of Nigeria. This would not only address the immediate need to deal with the Boko Haram insurgence but also nip other such future uprisings in the bud.