John Campbell

Africa in Transition

Campbell tracks political and security developments across sub-Saharan Africa.

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The BBC and Nigerian Islamist Terror

by John Campbell
DATE IMPORTED:August 4, 2009A girl hawks drinking water packed in sachets along a street after days of religious clashes in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, August 4, 2009. (Akintunde Akinleye/Courtesy Reuters) DATE IMPORTED:August 4, 2009A girl hawks drinking water packed in sachets along a street after days of religious clashes in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri, August 4, 2009. (Akintunde Akinleye/Courtesy Reuters)

Northern Nigeria is a dangerous place. Even President Goodluck Jonathan waited to make his first visit to Yobe and Borno states until earlier this month, almost two years into his presidential term. Western journalists rarely visit there, and diplomatic travel by Western embassies appears to be limited. Information about the Islamist insurrection—labeled “Boko Haram”—largely comes from Nigerian commentators. There may also be the temptation among Americans who follow Africa to become fatigued over the violence. Read more »

Nigerian Terrorist Threatens the United States

by John Campbell
Confiscated weapons are displayed after a military raid on a hideout of suspected Islamist Boko Haram members in Kano 11/08/2012. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters) Confiscated weapons are displayed after a military raid on a hideout of suspected Islamist Boko Haram members in Kano 11/08/2012. (Stringer/Courtesy Reuters)

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau delivered a video speech in Arabic posted November 29, on jihadist websites. In it, he associates the United States, Britain, Nigeria, “and other crusaders” with Israeli oppression. Shekau salutes fighters for “the Islamic state in Mali,” Somalia, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, and Palestine. Unless the Nigerian police repent, they will be killed: “Allah the Glorious and Almighty made your blood permissible to us, because you worship the laws of the government and not the laws of Allah the Almighty.  Democracy is also a disbelieving system, O Obama, O Jonathan…” Read more »

Key Issues in Nigeria

by John Campbell

Some short background videos on key issues in Nigeria:

Christian-Muslim Relations in Nigeria

CFR Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies John Campbell discusses the relations between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. Campbell emphasizes that where religious divisions correspond to ethnic and economic differences, conflict often acquire a religious coloration. Read more »

Nigeria’s Polarizing Politics

by John Campbell

Last week as I mentioned here it looked like the Atiku Abubakar consensus candidacy would stick. Now I’m not so sure.  One of the most important northern power brokers and Abubakar rival, former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida is now threatening to bolt the ruling party. Whether Babangida remains in the party or not, the stage is now set for a potentially polarizing contest that may split the party along the country’s already existing regional and religious cleavages. Read more »