February 24, 2015

AFP: Boko Haram targets region where powerful empire once reigned

February 24, 2015

AFP

Ben Simon from the global press agency AFP (L’Agence France-Presse) asked Yan St-Pierre about the background of the Kanem-Bornu empire (below Lake Chad):

Yan St-Pierre, who heads the Modern Security Consulting Group, agreed that Boko Haram has used Kanem-Bornu to create “historical legitimacy”. But, he noted, the insurgency has demonstrated an “ideological devolution” since its founding in 2002 and this use of history probably has limited impact now. […] Cross-border attacks have little to do with empire restoration and more to do with revenge against the militaries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger who are now cooperating with Nigeria to crush the insurgency, St-Pierre said.

To read the full article please click on the link above.