VOA: Latest Boko Haram Video Reignites Debate Over Negotiations

August 16th, 2016

Chika Oduah, journalist with VOA News, asked Yan St-Pierre to provide his insights on the latest Boko Haram video, which reignites the debate over negotiations.

Counterterrorism policy analyst Yan St-Pierre says Shekau’s message is intended to go beyond his own followers and his rival, al-Barnawi. It may be aimed directly at the central power, the Islamic State. “It’s actually speaking to [IS leader Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi and anyone else who is in the high rank of ISIS officials to show them, ‘Look, choosing Abu Musab al-Barnawi is a mistake. I’m actually the one in the charge. I’m the one that provided results for this organization. I’m the one who still has control. I’m the one who is still pulling the strings,’ ” said St-Pierre, using another acronym for the militant group.

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“Will they [lesser-known hostages] also be used as bargaining chips?” St-Pierre asked. “By negotiating with Boko Haram, by giving into its demands, it would most likely set a precedent that would not end up well. “At this point in time, especially if you look at the larger picture, it’s not to the advantage of the Nigerian government to free the girls via negotiations, especially if you consider all that PR rhetoric about being on their way to defeating Boko Haram, and Boko Haram being kicked out. It would be acknowledging the fact that they are unable to complete the job,” he added.

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