Boko Haram: Americas overlooked enemy

Infrared images: Nigerian village Doron Baga before (top) and after (bottom) attack by Boko
Haram jihadists. Bright red marks healthy trees and vegetation. (AP Photo/DigitalGlobe via
Amnesty International, Micah Farfour)

by Eric Ham
On a cold and cloudy Sunday shortly after the Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 terror attacks in Paris which
claimed 17 lives, the world came together in solidarity with France. Global leaders from across
Europe, the Middle East and Africa converged on Paris to march as one against the extremist
ideology and brutality of the al Qaeda-linked culprits in that devastating violence.
On a cold and cloudy Sunday shortly after the Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 terror attacks in Paris which
claimed 17 lives, the world came together in solidarity with France. Global leaders from across
Europe, the Middle East and Africa converged on Paris to march as one against the extremist
ideology and brutality of the al Qaeda-linked culprits in that devastating violence.
On a cold and cloudy Sunday shortly after the Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 terror attacks in Paris which
claimed 17 lives, the world came together in solidarity with France. Global leaders from across
Europe, the Middle East and Africa converged on Paris to march as one against the extremist
ideology and brutality of the al Qaeda-linked culprits in that devastating violence.

But as the world mourned the loss of life in France, no one marched, protested, or seemingly
shed a tear for the estimated 2,000 people many of them women and children massacred
by Boko Haram in Nigeria on Jan. 3.
While U.S. officials and the media continue to search for answers to the growing menace posed
by the Islamic State, also known by the acronyms ISIS or ISIL, and a resurgent Al Qaeda in the
Middle East, another enemy is often overlooked: Boko Haram, the ruthless Islamic terror
network based in Nigeria that is spreading murder and mayhem on a scale that dwarfs the Paris
attacks.
In the wake of the shocking attacks in Paris on the editorial offices of Charlie Hebdo and a
kosher deli in the citys Jewish quarter, President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister
David Cameron held a joint press conference proclaiming a renewed effort to eradicate the
Islamic State and al Qaedas growing threat to the West. However, as Nigeria has surpassed
South Africa as the largest economy in Africa and remains the largest U.S. trading partner on the
continent, it seems only reasonable that comparable effort and resources should be expended by
the U.S. and its allies to combat the growing threat posed to Nigeria and its people.
In the wake of the shocking attacks in Paris on the editorial offices of Charlie Hebdo and a
kosher deli in the citys Jewish quarter, President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister
David Cameron held a joint press conference proclaiming a renewed effort to eradicate the
Islamic State and al Qaedas growing threat to the West. However, as Nigeria has surpassed
South Africa as the largest economy in Africa and remains the largest U.S. trading partner on the
continent, it seems only reasonable that comparable effort and resources should be expended by
the U.S. and its allies to combat the growing threat posed to Nigeria and its people.
Since the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls by Boko Haram last April, the violent extremists
have only escalated their brutal attacks on Nigerias population. In their deadliest action to date,
the terror organization went on a rampage lasting days through the northeastern Nigerian town of
Baga and neighboring village Doron Baga, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction on a
catastrophic scale.
Since the abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls by Boko Haram last April, the violent extremists
have only escalated their brutal attacks on Nigerias population. In their deadliest action to date,
the terror organization went on a rampage lasting days through the northeastern Nigerian town of
Baga and neighboring village Doron Baga, leaving behind a trail of death and destruction on a
catastrophic scale.
Left unchecked, Boko Harams ongoing terror attacks could begin to have repercussions on the
U.S. economy, while simultaneously bolstering thriving violent radical networks including, but
not limited to, the Islamic State, al Qaeda and affiliated terror groups. Abubakar Shekau, the
figure believed to be Boko Harams leader, hailed the Paris attacks, a telling indicator that Boko
Haram has ambitions to be part of the growing jihadist terror movement across the globe.
Nigeria is home to the fastest growing population in Africa. It boasts one of the fastest growing
middle classes of any nation on the planet. Its thriving entertainment infrastructure rivals

Americas Hollywood and Indias Bollywood. Not to mention it is one of the worlds leading oil
producers. Nigerias economy is as diverse as it is expansive. As a result of its growing
economic might, Nigeria is making enormous political strides on the international stage. Already
a member of the G-20, among other influential global forums, it is seeking to become a member
of the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria is home to the fastest growing population in Africa. It boasts one of the fastest growing
middle classes of any nation on the planet. Its thriving entertainment infrastructure rivals
Americas Hollywood and Indias Bollywood. Not to mention it is one of the worlds leading oil
producers. Nigerias economy is as diverse as it is expansive. As a result of its growing
economic might, Nigeria is making enormous political strides on the international stage. Already
a member of the G-20, among other influential global forums, it is seeking to become a member
of the United Nations Security Council.
Despite these enormous gains, however, Nigeria much like the rest of Africa is often
overlooked by the United States. The president gave the country short shrift in this years State
of the Union speech. The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by Mr. Obama last August, was
only the first time the president had hosted any African leaders in the U.S. in his 6 years in
office. Meanwhile, China, India and the European Union have hosted many such summits.
Whats more, Japan is on the brink of surpassing the United States in total trade with Africa.
Chinas rapid emergence as the largest global economy, passing the United States, has been
aided by its growing engagement with Africa. Chinas investment on the continent is hardly
altruistic, as it is importing Chinese workers to man many of the projects it is undertaking in the
region. But the bottom line is China is smart enough not to ignore the economic opportunity in
Africa. The president did give this a mention in his State of the Union address, but Africa needs
more than lip service from the U.S.
Despite these enormous gains, however, Nigeria much like the rest of Africa is often
overlooked by the United States. The president gave the country short shrift in this years State
of the Union speech. The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by Mr. Obama last August, was
only the first time the president had hosted any African leaders in the U.S. in his 6 years in
office. Meanwhile, China, India and the European Union have hosted many such summits.
Whats more, Japan is on the brink of surpassing the United States in total trade with Africa.
Chinas rapid emergence as the largest global economy, passing the United States, has been
aided by its growing engagement with Africa. Chinas investment on the continent is hardly
altruistic, as it is importing Chinese workers to man many of the projects it is undertaking in the
region. But the bottom line is China is smart enough not to ignore the economic opportunity in
Africa. The president did give this a mention in his State of the Union address, but Africa needs
more than lip service from the U.S.
Nigeria is a shining success story, but its stunning economic and political gains are jeopardized
by Boko Harams continuing reign of terror. The U.S. is wise to maintain close ties to this
emerging nation. However, for both its own sake and that of the entire region, the U.S. must do
more than talk about investment in Nigeria and the region. It must stand ready to use all the
tools in the foreign policy toolkit military, diplomatic and financial to help Nigeria and

other African nations imperiled by Islamist terrorism fight the spread of this malignant and
metastasizing cancer. Now more than ever, the U.S. must lead.
Nigeria is a shining success story, but its stunning economic and political gains are jeopardized
by Boko Harams continuing reign of terror. The U.S. is wise to maintain close ties to this
emerging nation. However, for both its own sake and that of the entire region, the U.S. must do
more than talk about investment in Nigeria and the region. It must stand ready to use all the
tools in the foreign policy toolkit military, diplomatic and financial to help Nigeria and
other African nations imperiled by Islamist terrorism fight the spread of this malignant and
metastasizing cancer. Now more than ever, the U.S. must lead.
The 9/11 attacks should serve as a constant reminder of what can happen when terror networks
are overlooked. Terrorism is not only deadly but ambitious. It will not be contained or tamed. It
is either thriving or dying. Today, Nigerians are dying, and Boko Haram is thriving. And whats
to stop these terrorists from looking toward America as their next target?
Eric Ham is a political and national security analyst and former adviser to the Senate Foreign
Relations and Armed Services Committees. He is the author of S.O.S.: a U.S. Strategy of
Statebuilding. He also is an analyst for Arise News, a Nigeria-based 24-hour global television
news network. Twitter: @EKH2016