FG Vs Boko HaramCeasefire Announcement Was Political – US Expert

The Nigerian government has been criticized for its hasty announcement of a ceasefire deal with Boko Haram before the negotiations were finalized

President Goodluck Jonathan

 

The continuation of violence by Boko Haram despite a ceasefire arrangement it supposedly reached with the Nigerian government has caused questions to be asked about the government’s hasty announcement of the deal.

The ceasefire was supposed to lead to a cessation of attacks by the sect and the release of the abducted Chibok girls but there has been no sign that either of these things will happen soon.

According to the Vice President of Africa Analysis at the Stratfor consultancy, Mark Schroeder:

"I sense Nigeria rushed to announce the deal with electoral-political calculations in mind."

"Getting a victory with the schoolgirls and a short-term truce with Boko Haram could be positive for President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign."

A resident of Maiduguri, Joel Peter told Reuters:

"The government just wants to (win) 2015 elections at all costs."

"Only the government is ready for ceasefire, not Boko Haram. Government is tired of insurgency and it hasn't been winning the war ... but Boko Haram aren't tired," he said. "For the Chibok girls, let's wait and see,"

A Chadian diplomat reportedly added that the Nigerian government had rushed to announce the deal before it was even finalized.

He said:

"Our feeling is that they acted precipitously. They should have waited until they at least had some of the girls. I don’t know anyone in the country who actually knows where they are."

The ceasefire was announced by the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh on Friday, October 17 but battles between Boko Haram and Nigerian troops are still ongoing and the only mention that has been made of the Chibok girls’ release is by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali who said in Berlin that the schoolgirls would be home in the “near future.”