320
Washington Street
Easton, MA
02357
7 April 2017
From: Matthew Macy
To: UN Ambassador Nikki
Haley
Thru: U.S.
Representation to the United Nations
Subj: U.S. and UN
Actions against Boko Haram Terror Group
1.
Despite having a
large negative effect upon the people and government of Nigeria, the terror
group Boko Haram (translated from Arabic as “Western Civilization is Forbidden”)
has caused much havoc, violence and death within the Nigerian state. Little has
been done by the United States about the issue, and a tougher stance ought to
be taken against this group in order to help protect innocent civilians.
2.
Boko Haram was founded
in 2002 and was originally a compound and school to teach Islam. It eventually
radicalized and turned into its current form around 2009 after riots against a law
affecting Muslims and motorbike headgear. They aim to remove the secular
Nigerian government and replace it with a Muslim theocracy. They also want to remove
as much of the western capitalist ideas and business as possible from the
nation. Boko Haram has made less than half as many attacks as ISIS, which is
the world’s main terror threat, but they have unfortunately killed almost as
many people.
3.
The U.S. has had
little influence upon policies against Boko Haram and has not done much to
attempt to remedy the problem. The group only gained notoriety after it
kidnapped roughly 200 girls from a village in April of 2014 and took them away
to a camp or base. Only a few of these girls have been found in the years since
this occurred despite the U.S. sending advisors to aid the local police and military
in search and rescue. The popular media displayed the American response as a
social media campaign, which was called “Bring Back Our Girls”; it failed to
bring back the girls. However, it did temporarily raise public awareness of the
issue.
4.
The United States
should aim to motivate the United Nations and other concerned nations to take a
stand against the attacks which Boko Haram has made against the Nigerian people.
As they do not care who they kill or where they do it, this group has a higher
potential to cause mass casualties via a terror attack than ISIS, but since
they do not directly attack the west, Boko Haram receives less attention than
they deserve. The UN ought to recognize that this group poses a major threat to
member states, and a coalition should be suggested as a means of preventing
Boko Haram from expanding or causing more terror amongst the Nigerian people
and the state. Boots on the ground and peacekeepers may not be the simplest
response at this time, but some action and mobilization would be beneficial for
the Nigerians and their neighbors. It would show Boko Haram that their actions
are not going unnoticed by the rest of the world and would be a strong message.
After President Trump’s strong message via Tomahawk cruise missiles sent to the
Syrian regime, a response which gets the world to notice Boko Haram’s
atrocities is quite necessary in light of their evil actions against civilians.
5.
Thank you for
considering this proposal.
Bibliography:
- https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/10/14/fact-sheet-us-efforts-assist-nigerian-government-its-fight-against-boko-
- Class Notes from 6 April 2017
Matt I liked your post!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you mentioned the recent actions President Trump just took with sending Tomahawk cruise missiles to the Syrian regime to show a message that such actions will not be tolerated.
With this my memo also connects to the fact that if Nigeria asks for aid then we and the UN will give it will peacekeepers and boots on the ground to establish that Boko Haram will not be allowed. We will show that radicals cannot simply have their way. By doing this I believe we will be fighting the war on terror especially because Boko Haram pledged allegiance to ISIS. I think with the loyalty as well as wanting to destroy western civilization that matters may escalate before we know it. Neither us or the UN can do anything until Nigeria directly requests assistance because we do not want to force our help and the transition and matter will go smoother with the want for change from Nigeria.
Hi Matt
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. You provided a lot of background information. I really like your last section where you provide an opinion on what to do. I agree with you that something must be done to show Boko Harmam that their actions have consequences. I agree with Anfei as well and like how you included Trumps recent actions into your post as well. Great job!
The memo did a good job chronicling the destructive rise of Boko Haram and the danger it presents to the region. The memo also argues well the need for intervention in Nigeria not only by the United States but a large global effort with the United Nations is needed. Very good including the most recent developments made by Trump against Boko Haram. I definitely agree that a global coalition is needed to stop such terrorism.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you describe how Boko Haram was form and the effect they had instead of just going straight to what we should do about them with no background information. I also really liked how you compared them to ISIS and showed how they can be seen as more dangerous than ISIS but are not as well known because they don't attack the west directly so they are not noticed as much. I agree with you that we should get the United Nations involved. Well I agree it would be good to have boots on the ground and peacekeepers, I do think we should get the approve of Nigeria first.