05-12-2014, 07:58 PM
Part of the reason that conversation was slower to build about the mass abduction is because, IMO, there is more of an expectation that such atrocities occur in Nigeria and other countries where there are militant Islamic fundamentalists continually vying for attention and control through what we in the west would label terrorist activity.
In this case, President Johnathan first declined assistance from the US and the UK when it was offered, as soon as the story broke. It wasn't until last week that he welcomed a handful of specialists from the US State Department, along with the participation of 40 or 50 US military already located in Nigeria. France was planning to send some specialists today, AFAIK. I think it's natural for more attention to be paid and discussion to ensue when more is known about the incident and one's country-specific participation begins.
Boko Haram has been wreaking havoc for years. They killed 30 school boys a couple of months back, IIRC. They stormed a village and killed/abducted more people last weekend. I hope they're stopped soon -- at the root. And, I hope that they don't carry through on their threats to sell the girls into sex slavery (or worse, slaughter them like they did the school boys).
What's their beef? As I understand it, they're still pushing for Sharia Law to be implemented -- that's a primary goal. I think they also want some of their members released from prison and have targeted some hostages for trade purposes (only read that as speculation). I don't think they're gonna get what they claim to be after as a result of these latest attacks/crimes, but as you said, they are getting a lot of attention, which typically helps such groups recruit new members regardless of the mission's outcome.
In this case, President Johnathan first declined assistance from the US and the UK when it was offered, as soon as the story broke. It wasn't until last week that he welcomed a handful of specialists from the US State Department, along with the participation of 40 or 50 US military already located in Nigeria. France was planning to send some specialists today, AFAIK. I think it's natural for more attention to be paid and discussion to ensue when more is known about the incident and one's country-specific participation begins.
Boko Haram has been wreaking havoc for years. They killed 30 school boys a couple of months back, IIRC. They stormed a village and killed/abducted more people last weekend. I hope they're stopped soon -- at the root. And, I hope that they don't carry through on their threats to sell the girls into sex slavery (or worse, slaughter them like they did the school boys).
What's their beef? As I understand it, they're still pushing for Sharia Law to be implemented -- that's a primary goal. I think they also want some of their members released from prison and have targeted some hostages for trade purposes (only read that as speculation). I don't think they're gonna get what they claim to be after as a result of these latest attacks/crimes, but as you said, they are getting a lot of attention, which typically helps such groups recruit new members regardless of the mission's outcome.