No Ceasefire in Nigeria

Not even one day removed from the ceasefire with the Nigerian government, Boko Haram has reportedly kidnapped 25 to 45 women and girls from villages in the Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria. Residents from these towns have stated that suspected Boko Haram militants raided their villages only days after last week’s ceasefire with the Nigerian military. The deal brokered by the military and Boko Haram called not only for an immediate ceasefire, but for the group to release the over 200 girls they have been holding hostage since April. Discussions are being held in Chad on when to release the girls. Also this weekend, an explosion at a bus station in the northern state of Bauchi killed 5 and wounded approximately 12 other persons. The Nigerian government believes that Boko Haram is responsible not only for this attack, but also five separate attacks that have occurred since the Friday announcement.

Boko Haram has yet to acknowledge or recognize the deal. This recent display of violence in Nigeria illustrates why no deal with Boko Haram will be sustaining. On the Nigerian government side, what deal was made by the government that would ensure the release of the kidnapped girls? What were Boko Haram’s demands? And did the government cede any land to the terrorist group? Unfortunately, the Nigerian government may have been too premature in its announcement of the deal. With the elections in February 2015, the government may have wanted a boost to its campaign. Residents in Northern Nigeria also view it as a political ploy. There are too many questions left to be answered, and as violence resumes in the northern states of Nigeria, it is safe to assume the ceasefire was never fully recognized by both parties. This is an example of why cease fires and truces with terrorist groups do work out. The deals will more than likely be breached or not honored by these groups, as we have seen in Nigeria. As we have seen in Nigeria, if these deals can be reached at all, they will more than likely be breached.