INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND GLOBAL TERRORISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

ABSTRACTS

This project is based on International security and global terrorism in the 21st century(case of boko haram conflict in the northern part of Cameroon). International security also known as global security is a term which refers to the measures taken by states and international organizations such as United Nations, European Union and others to ensure mutual survival and safety. Boko haram origins lie in a group of radical islamist youth who worshipped at the Alhaji Muhammadu Ndimi mosque in Maiduguri a decade ago. The book haram conflict erupted in Nigerian in 2002 but came into conflict with Cameroon in 2013.

Since then the Cameroonian arm force has had several encounters with the terrorist group. Violence and insecurity linked to boko haram counter-insurgency operations have caused internal and crossed border displacement, deteriorating socio-economic conditions and led to the widespread destruction of houses, infrastructures, roads, markets, health and education facilities. The conflict already caused 1,500 deaths and led to 155,000 displaced persons and 73,000 refugees. The boko haram has step up attacks on civilians in towns and villages in the Far North Region of Cameroon since December 2020,killing at least 80 civilians.

The boko haram conflict has affected the economy of Cameroon negatively by distorting trades and production activities in the areas in concern with the arm conflict. The government of Cameroon has faced some challenges in resolving the conflict. Such challenges include; random suicide bombing, difficulty in identifying group members due to lack of an identified group uniform, frequent kidnaps for ransom, rape towards young girls and women, threats to some men in other to join their group. The government continues to encourage the inhabitants of the north to stay safe and keep an open eye in their daily activities. Nevertheless, the government of Cameroon has been working on several measures put in place in other to counter the boko haram conflict.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to study

Terrorism is not a new phenomenon it has long been a method of violent action by organizations and individuals attempting to achieve political goals.. According to Bruce all terrorists share one common denominator: they “live” in the future and are convinced that they will defeat their enemies and achieve their political goals. The questions on how we can have a secured and terror free world have been a recurring one with little answers. The threat of terrorism has steadily increased over the last 30 years. With advances in technology, Terrorist acts have come much more destructive and the perpetrators of those acts have become more elusive.

Maintaining a secured world has been a difficult task especially in this era of globalization Looking at the security side of the globalization analysis, security became so complex and multi-dimensional, traditional national border-setting type of security perception is not capable of recognizing new threats that transcend the national borders. In this context, international terrorism became one of the main concerns with its highly complicated characteristics. Thus, globalized world has to face an immediate threat: international terrorism. This problem has been recognized not only by one nation, but also in the era of globalization when the nations became much more connected and interdependent, it became a threat to international security.
A Breach, Joel D. and Bert A. Rockman.

Coker(2002) notes that globalization has changed the scope, intensity and nature of terrorism in the post war era He opines that since 1990, terrorist groups have grown in number, sophistry, scope, ruthlessness and geographical spread of operation. Furthermore, it is increasingly argued globalization encourage religious fundamentalism, wars of identity and the fragmentation if states. coker and David (2012) observe that 40 years ago, there existed no religious terrorist movement worldwide. In the 1980’s only two of 64 known terrorist organization in the world were animated by religious fundamentalism. By the 1990s, Al- Qaeda led by Osama Bin Laden became the leading global terror group.

Terrorism became a global security challenge. To understand the character and transformation of terrorism into transnational threat or border conflict of large security concern, particularly the transnational nature of Boko Haram’s activities, it is important to know other transnational terrorist groups in the world .
According to Boas(2012), ISIS means Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) The ideological goal of ISIS is to cement it name: ‘’ Islamic state of Iraq and Syria” ISIS is make up of ( Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.
Coker and David. (2002), “Collective Identity Formation.

The name Al- Shabaab means ‘’ the Youth” the group is battling for a theocracy in the horn of Africa, but radical Islamic ideology recognize no national frontier they have carried out attacks beyond East Africa- as well as in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, 2013 September attack Somalia.
Al-Qaeda is regarded as the parent organization of global jihad. Its name means ‘’base” or “foundation’’ Al- Qaeda was the brain behind the attacks on New York on September 11, 2001.
Boko Haram is currently the fastest growing terrorist group that is quite active in the North eastern part of Nigeria. Boko Haram is committed to the introduction of sharia law across the country. The group attracted a significant amount of media attention when the Chibok girls were kidnaped in April 2014.since 2003 thousands of people have been killed in attacks on security forces , government agencies , churches and schools (Campbell, 2014)
Campbell, John (2013). Boko Haram in Northern Cameroon

The emergence of Boko Haram, as an Islamic extremist terrorist group that has been agitating for the introduction of strict Islamic laws and the Islamization of Nigeria through violent activities such as killing, bombing, and suicide bombing has taken a transnational dimension( Ayeotan 2012).It has more recently transformed into one of the fiercest terrorist organization, whose violent activities have seriously affected the lives of the people across Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.Transnation terrorism is a diverse and multifaceted regarding scope and intensity. Dealing with it requires investment in international security and diplomacy.

It also entails cooperation between domestic, regional and international actors in the area of peace, security and development. The study examines the transnational characteristics of Boko Haram, it enigmatic character and why it has become difficult to clamp down the terrorist group. Boko Haram attack took a cross border dimension when on July 27, 2014; over 200 militants stormed Kolofata, a town in the extreme North region of Cameroon targeting the residence of the Vice Prime Minister, Amadou Ali.During that attack, the wife, and sister in law of the vice prime minister, as well as the Mayor and Seini Lamine, a senior religious leader, were kidnapped to an unknown destination.

The night before Boko Haram had carried out an attack on the Cameroon military in extreme North region which resulted in the death of four Cameroonian soldiers and kidnapping of thirteen (13) others. The abduction of Cameroonian soldiers Marked the spread of Boko Haram attack in Cameroon. Additionally, two sons of Bieshair Mohaman, a Cameroonian leader in Limani were also kidnapped on July 15, 2014. In Northern Nigeria, authorities traced some of the explosives used in the attack to a quarry in Northern Cameroon that was raided by Boko Haram in may 2014. Much earlier in December 2013, Nigeria authorities foiled a plot to kidnap the central government representatives, the governor, and the military zone commander in Diffa.

Also Boko Haram members in Diffa ambushed an army patrol and escaped to the Nigeria side of the border. Following this event, three Boko Haram members were captured and the next day, nine more were arrested in connection to the attack. In Chad, the border security was expanded on August 6, 2014, when Boko Haram militants crossed into the country and gunned down six Nigeria in Dubuwa village. The Nigerians had fled an earlier attack on Kirenowa, a Nigerian town close the border. In more brazen attempt to enter Chadian territory, on August 16, 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped 97 people including boys and several women from Daron Baga fishing village in Nigeria near lake chad.

The May 2021 ISWAP attack and overran Boko Haram militants in Sambisa forest and the leader of Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau was killed during the fighting, reportedly using a suicide vest. Moreso, this recent update represent violence in Nigeria and related to Boko Haram in Cameroon, Chad and Niger from December 24 to 30, 2022, and update represents violence in Nigeria and related to Boko Haram in Cameroon, Chad and Niger from December 17 to 23, 2022.
Walker(2012) notes that the transnational characteristics of Book Haram operations are facilitated by some factors , including the following:
Firstly, the borders of the affected countries are long and porous with little security, immigration or control checkpoints.
Secondly, the concerned countries lack the require expertise to combat terrorism and insurgency.

Thirdly, the slow and weak response of Nigeria to initial attacks by Boko Haram and the absence of an early regional counter- terrorism initiatives allowed terrorist crises of the region to grow out of proportion.
Fourthly, the area targeted by Boko Haram In the different countries share ethnic/cultural, religious and linguistic link. The dynamic nature of terrorism further exacerbates the threat terrorist pose to security officials. Even if they achieve success in foiling terrorist plots, security agencies cannot rest on their accomplishments as terrorist organizations constantly change their tactics, organizational structure, and even their tactical objectives. As such, terrorist groups and those who work to counter them are constantly competing strategically in an attempt to stay one step ahead of each other, whether via new technologies or operational tactics.

In this manner, the phenomenon of terrorism has evolved over the years, with each stage emerging more dangerous and lethal than the preceding stage. Some few states have witnessed terrorist threats since many years. Nevertheless, though these states have already known the pains of terrorism, it became more a concern of many other states with September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks in the United States. This a turning point for all the nations to see the threat of terrorism. The September 11 attacks represented a new reality in international terrorism.Muslim communities all over the world through educational, religious, and welfare activities, known as “dawah” activities.
Walker. (2012), terrorist activities.

This made it possible – and even convenient – for world leaders to underestimate the threat. The death of nearly 3,000 civilians, the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings, and the destruction of parts of the Pentagon building on September 11th, forced the international community and especially the American people and US administration – to acknowledge the imminent threat of terrorism.

Since then, members of the global jihadist network have not hesitated to utilize a method of modern terrorism that has proved more effective than any other,namely,suicideattacks. Almost a new awareness has started, because everybody saw its damages while a lot of people have died or injured, and unfortunately while terrorist declared their success. Terrorism became the main topic on the top agenda for many nations and institutions. Today, global terror is a giant problem for all humanity. We are used to think security in terms of military threats and arising beyond the borders of one’s own country.

Traditionally…nationally…is understood as “the acquisition, deployment and use of military force to achieve national goals. Since the September 11 attack, nations saw that it is of great importance for countries to cooperate and share information as regarding to security and tackle the spontaneous threat posed by terrorists.
Press Burk J. (2002),
For the last two-and-a-half years, Cameroon has confronted the insurgents of the Nigeria-born group Boko Haram. The conflict has already caused 1,500 deaths, and led to 155,000 displaced persons and 73,000 refugees. Although the first attacks occurred in March 2014, the jihadist group’s presence in Cameroon’s Far North region dates back to at least 2011.

It has benefited from a network of local collaborators and has exploited vulnerabilities that the region shares with north-eastern Nigeria. While the first eighteen months of conflict were characterized by conventional warfare, the group has now switched to an asymmetric mode of attack. The Cameroonian government’s focus on a military response has been partly successful, but the structural problems that allowed this threat to arise have not been addressed. The fight against Boko Haram requires adapting and improving security structures, and long-term crisis resolution policies that will prevent a revival of this threat in a different form, and stop insecurity in the region reigniting.

The Far North is the poorest of Cameroon’s regions and has the lowest school enrolment rate. A combination of weak national integration and historic neglect by the state have for many years contributed to violence and the presence of smugglers in the region, with a proliferation of highway robbers, traffickers and petty criminals. It was vulnerable to this jihadist insurrection due to geographical and cultural overlap with north-eastern Nigeria, the presence of an intolerant version of Islam and the repercussions of the Chadian civil wars. Boko Haram exploited these vulnerabilities to make the Far North a logistics base, a safe haven and a source of recruitment.

The group has particularly gathered support among disaffected youth in districts adjacent to Nigeria through the use of ideological indoctrination, socio-economic incentives and coercion. Cameroonian security forces, starting in 2013, dismantled hidden weapon stockpiles and arrested Boko Haram leaders, pushing the group to threaten and eventually attack Cameroon directly. In the last two and-a-half years, the Far North region has experienced at least 460 attacks and about 50 suicide bombings. Cameroon’s government was slow to react against the Boko Haram menace, due to historic tensions with Nigeria, an aversion to intervening in what it perceived as its neighbor’s internal problem, and a fear of becoming a target.

Despite these early lapses, the government was later able to put in place an effective military response. This response disrupted the group and guided the reaction of the Multinational Joint Task Executive Summary 20/02/2023, Force (MNJTF), the sub-regional task force with which Cameroon was reluctant to associate at first. Nonetheless, the weak point of the Cameroonian response remains the lack of commitment to development initiatives and the absence of counter-radicalization and de-radicalization programs. Indeed, some measures adopted after the Maroua attacks in July 2015, such as the ban on full-face veils, the closing of the border, restrictions on motorcycle taxis, and abuses by the military could radicalize a portion of the population, including women, and have already accentuated socio-economic vulnerabilities for many young people, leading some to join Boko Haram. Despite the geographical distance, the war against Boko Haram has not only impacted the Far North.
Bøås, Morten, (2012), Violent Islamic uprising in northern Cameroon

The conflict has reinforced President Paul Biya’s leadership and boosted the legitimacy of the nation’s defense forces with parts of the population. The war has nonetheless had a negative effect on the country’s economy and has created ethnic and social cleavages, as seen in the stigmatization of the Kanuri people in the Far North, often indiscriminately associated with the jihadist group. More generally, the conflict highlights a deficit of representation, although without fundamentally threatening the legitimacy of the state: the gerontocratic political elite of the Far North is increasingly challenged by a very young population.

The fight against Boko Haram is a test for security cooperation and sub-regional solidarity. The intervention by Chadian armed forces both in Cameroon, and, alongside forces from Niger, in Nigeria has reduced the group’s conventional military capacities. Despite some mistrust, the countries in the region have been able to establish the MNJTF and Nigeria finally accepted that Cameroon may intervene on its territory. This new multilateral force has slowed down the frequency of suicide attacks in Cameroon and is currently engaged against a dissident faction of the group in the Lake Chad Basin.
Agnew, John (2015). “The Territorial Trap
1.2 Statement of the Problem