Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-2020
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Intelligence and Security Studies
First Advisor
Mark Chen
Second Advisor
Wesley Yates
Third Advisor
Benjamin Jones
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The emergence of Boko Haram in West Africa has resulted in severe disruption of the Lake Chad region and the displacement of millions. In 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS, signaling a shift in the organization’s objectives and adopting a new strategy for influence over its region. Subsequent leadership changes led to the group’s splintering into multiple factions. Infighting between and within factions has raised new questions imperative to understanding the group’s outlook. This paper sought to examine the impact that deaths of ISIS and ISWAP leaders have on the outlook of Boko Haram and its factions (JAS, Ansaru, ISWAP) and to anticipate the group’s potential next actions and aggressions. Data consisting of open source intelligence was compiled and analyzed. Based on this analysis, the report establishes that the Islamic State West Africa Province faction presents the greatest threat to Nigeria, due to its ability to gain popular support from civilians in the region. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death provides a path for the possible re-emergence of al-Qaeda in Nigeria. It has also led to a hardline turn of events within ISWAP that will likely fuel an uptick in soft and hard target attacks across West Africa. By elucidating the driving factors behind the threat of increased insurgency, the analysis provided can be used as a roadmap to anticipate and deter Boko Haram’s hand in West African affairs.
Recommended Citation
Markos, Paul, "Assessing the Impact of Factional Infighting within Boko Haram" (2020). Honors Theses. 1539.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1539
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