The Dilemmas of Counter-Bokoharamism Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Dilemmas of Counter-Bokoharamism. Answer: The dilemmas of counter-bokoharamism The federal government of Nigeria has faced a number of human rights dilemmas in its efforts to neutralize the effects of Boko-Haram militancy in Nigeria. The militancy has resulted to mayhem, criminal activities against humanity such killings and wanton destruction of property and the government is grappling with how best they can handle the operation to bring to an end these criminal acts of the militia while at same time observing/conforming to human rights issues. This paper will therefore give my opinion on what I will do differently and why on myriad of approaches and dilemmas the government is facing in efforts to counter the group. Between Counter Boko haram and human rights. The Nigerian federal government has largely taken military approach in countering the militia. I think the best way should have been the use of special police trained in military operation. Because military mostly fight with heavy artillery and ammunitions that will definitely spill over to civilians. The group lives within Nigeria where we have other peace loving citizens leaving within the vicinity. Therefore it is likely that when military launches attacks civilians could be the main causality because militias know how to hide women and children especially dont. So there is need for special police force that can also integrate well with civilians and attack the militia with very minimal impact to the civilians. (Sampson, 2013) Between negotiation and containment While the federal government is constantly reminded of the question How can you negotiate with terrorists? whenever it attempts to do so I think sometimes the security of the nation is more important than holding on to punishments. If the side can commit and implement agreements without giving conditions then negotiation is better way to resolving the conflicts. The federal government of Nigeria have negotiated with Niger delta before. Although this group has support with majority of the people because their issues revolve around development, equity in resource sharing and environmental while Boko haram is more of ideological advancements of sharia rule in Nigeria, the government can still negotiate with Boko haram with view of dismantling the militia, and avoid having civilian paying with their lives when the two forces are combating each other. This should however be made clear to them (Boko haram) that the government can only negotiate with them if there is no conditions while at the same time government sustaining the special police assault. (Sampson, 2013) Between Mosaic justice and amnesty/rehabilitation While it is important that people who of have killed innocent civilians are brought to book on human rights account it is also important to look at the bigger picture for the future. The boko haram can be arrested and tried and sentenced but others will also continue using human beings as shields when they are cornered or even abducting and killing others therefore its a cycle with no end. Those who killed people yesterday arraigned to court today and those who will kill people today will be arraigned to court the tomorrow, and thats real circle with no end in sight. The Nigerian government can consider extending amnesty to Boko-haram militants who will surrender and accept to be taken for rehabilitation. Not all militias are hardcore criminals I am sure there are those who will embrace this strategy and surrender because they could be tired with fighting for years on end. Between law enforcement and Judiciary Police officers accuse judicial officers of releasing arrested Boko haram members easily. The Judicial officers on the other hand the evidence brought before them were shoddy and their hand are tied they just have to follow the law. This as resulted to police arresting the militia and executing them in extra-judicial killings or sometimes holding them in cells for very long time without producing them to the court of law. I think the best way here is to retrain the police officers on collection and handling of evidence before they are produced in the court. The judicial officers also aught to collaborate with the police and sensitise them on what kind of evidence hold water for them. This would avoid scenarios where the police feel undone after working hard to arrest criminal only to be released for lack of enough evidence. The extra-judicial killings only serve to aggravate the problem more and inspire retaliatory attacks with civilians the main causality. (Sampson, 2013) References Finch, V. and McGroarty, J. (2010). Human rights. Dundee: Dundee University Press. Haugen, D. and Musser, S. (n.d.). Human rights. Human rights translated. (2008). Clayton, Vic.: Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University. Owen, N. (2010). Human rights, human wrongs. Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. Sampson, I. (2013). The dilemmas of counter-bokoharamism : Debating state responses to Boko Haram terrorism in northern Nigeria. Security, (29), pp.122 146.