By Ashley Repp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 

Gowza, Nigeria-  Boko Haram Releases Video Claiming Control in Northern Nigeria

 

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group with its roots in Nigeria, released a video commending group members for their work in capturing the town of Gowza.  The video asserts that the town, with a population of about 265,000, will now be under the governance of Islamic Law, and that this is major victory for the militants.

Citizens of northern Nigeria are not strangers to the presence of Boko Haram, and the violence that tails the group.  Since 2009, thousands have been indiscriminately killed at the hands of Boko Haram.  Just this year, nearly 4,000 civilians fell victim to the deadly violence that Boko Haram so frequently employs in asserting authority and dominance.  The video recently released by Abubakar Shekau, shows pickup trucks with armed militants driving into Gowza.  About 20 men are shot dead in the video as well.  Many fled upon the arrival of the militants, though many were not fortunate enough to avoid the onslaught of gunfire and grenades.

Though the Nigerian military asserts that it is still in full control of Nigeria in its entirety, Boko Haram contends that this is untrue.  Many civilians in the area have also expressed that Nigerian military has been absent from the region.  Military absence creates a space in which Boko Haram influence can proliferate.  Furthermore, with the rise of ISIS in the Middle East, the growing influence of Boko Haram is particularly concerning.  While Abubakar Shekau mentioned Iraq in his video, there was no specific mention of an alliance or allegiance between ISIS and Boko Haram.  Nevertheless, this will be an allegiance to pay particular attention to.

Ultimately, in light of the recent news regarding Boko Haram, including their claim of responsibility in the kidnapping of about 200 school girls in April, the group is an entity that appears to have the requisite strength and ominous shadow to continue to grow.  Further growth will certainly compound issues for Nigeria, a country currently reeling from the devastation of an outbreak and the continued presence of Boko Haram.  It goes without saying that the Boko Haram situation will only continue to grow in strength and presence, unless it can be stopped, in the very least, by government and military forces.  Until a decisive shift in either direction is made, it seems the world, and Nigerians, can only watch and wait.

For more information please visit:

BBC News– Boko Haram Declares ‘Islamic State’ in Nigeria– 25 Aug, 2014

Boston Herald- Nigeria: Boko Haram Declares it is Islamic Caliphate– 25 Aug, 2014

Times of India- Boko Haram Chief Declares ‘Caliphate’ in Nigeria Town– 25 Aug, 2014

Reuters- Boko Haram Leader Says Ruling Nigerian Town by Islamic Law– 25 Aug, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

By Ashley Repp
News Desk Reporter, Africa

West Africa– Lack of government outreach and denial of the disease are adding kindling to the Ebola fire. Denial regarding Ebola has been an overarching reality in many West African nations.  In March and April many governments refused to admit that there were Ebola cases in their villages, asserting to the international community that there was no chance of an Ebola outbreak, no looming epidemic to contend with.  Governments misstepped again by failing to alert the public to the presence of the deadly virus within their respective countries.  This issue was further compounded by the general lack of knowledge of how the virus is spread, and without dissemination of information regarding proper health precautions on how to avoid becoming infected, many West Africans are in denial that Ebola is actually an issue at their doorstep, or are fearful of the disease they don’t understand.  Regardless of which side West Africans find themselves on, their governments should be faulted for the limited resources, information, and awareness provided to combat the rapidly spreading virus.

Ebola is spread by contact with bodily fluids including, sweat, blood, urine, vomit, and mucus.  Understanding this is key, yet very few West Africans are aware of this.  As a result, ritual burials that often include extensive contact with the dead body still continue, despite the fact that such contact with a body infected with Ebola could be lethal.  As one news report mentioned, many people waver between fear and denial, exemplified by a girl in Liberia yelling at her friend not to touch her because “Ebola in town.”  Her friend responded that Ebola isn’t real, the government planted this seed of fear.  Others are certain that West African governments are only using Ebola to get aid from nations like the United States, and that it is not an actual issue.  Ultimately, denial and fear are spurring on Ebola, and lack of government outreach and uniformed people, are supporting the epidemic’s survival.

It wasn’t until several days ago that one country, Guinea, decided to shut its borders in an effort to keep Ebola at bay.  But with West Africa’s porous borders and largely weak governments, it is unlikely that this measure will ultimately have much effect.  Nevertheless, in the aftermath of West African governments failing their people by not disseminating information regarding the disease, and denying the Ebola crisis, steps, such as closing borders, may be a turning point for the epidemic.  But have these precautions come too late?

 

For more information, please visit:

All Africa- Guinea Shuts Boarders in Bid to Halt Ebola Spread- 9 Aug, 2014

All Africa- Nigeria: Ebola- Many Nigerians Still Ignorant of Disease- 8 Aug, 2014

All Africa- Liberia: You Ain’t Know Ebola In Town?- 9 Jul, 2014

All Africa- West Africa: Misconceptions Fuel Ebola Outbreak- 14 Jul, 2014