The Paris Accord, signed by the governments of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin, to declare war on Islamic militancy is possibly a milestone in Africa’s War on Terror. The agreement, blessed by French President Francois Hollande, will facilitate regional cooperation in tackling Islamist terrorism as well as support Nigeria’s battle against the Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram. The response of the Nigerian security forces so far clearly indicates that the country is ill-equipped to cope with this threat alone. The involvement of the West in galvanising a partnership to combat the group will exacerbate its anti-West and anti-Christian agenda. The promised provision of surveillance tools and expert advice by Great Britain, France and the United States will make matters worse and plunge the continent into greater violence.
During his Africa visit a fortnight ago, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang promised Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan assistance in fighting Boko Haram. Both countries have been beset by Islamist terror attacks, most recently in the Xinjiang province and Borno. While both groups of insurgents – Uighurs in China and Boko Haram in Nigeria – are Islamist in nature, their goals and tactics are starkly different. The Uighurs, whose aims are political and secessionist, have so far employed the minimalist approach of coordinated knife attacks, driving a vehicle into bystanders at Tiananmen Square and low-intensity blasts at railway stations.
On the other hand the Boko Haram which aims to establish Sharia law, has been carrying out frequent, larger and indiscriminate attacks. The recent abduction of nearly 300 school girls has created widespread shock and outrage. In this conflict, Nigeria must look at an approach different than that of China which is relatively inexperienced in this regard, or the West which has a dubious record in counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This could open a door of opportunity for an India-Nigeria Counter Terrorism Cooperation. The new government would do well to protect India’s interests in Nigeria given that it is India’s biggest supplier of oil in all of Africa and home to 30,000-plus expats. India could help Nigeria in drafting a new counterinsurgency doctrine which will include the establishment of a wide network of informants and imparting training on tackling a violent guerilla movement. If successful, this could pave the way for India to play a more constructive role in Africa which goes beyond using the continent for its resources.
Karan Pradhan is Senior Researcher at Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations.
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