Regional armies deal blow to Nigeria militants
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Significance
Boko Haram has been severely weakened by the regional military offensive underway since February. With some assistance from Nigerian soldiers, troops from Chad, Cameroon and Niger have forced the insurgents to retreat from the majority of areas under their control. Completing the defeat of Boko Haram -- at least as a guerrilla force -- will be one of the incoming administration's first priorities.
Impacts
- The incoming government will seek to fund pledges to accelerate reconstruction and rehabilitation of the north-east.
- However, it is set to inherit a cash-strapped economy, after one of Nigeria's most expensive elections.
- As laid out by the respected Borno state governor, substantial international aid assistance will be required.
- Such reconstruction work will also be important to allow the return of tens of thousands of refugees.