Just published: Boko Haram - Islamism, Politics, Security and the State in Nigeria

This book is the first attempt to understand Boko Haram in a comprehensive and consistent way. It examines the early history of the sect and its transformation into a radical armed group. It analyses the causes of the uprising against the Nigerian state and evaluates the consequences of the on-going conflict from a religious, social and political point of view. The book gives priority to authors conducting fieldwork in Nigeria and tackles the following issues: the extent to which Boko Haram can be considered the product of deprivation and marginalisation; the relationship of the sect with almajirai (boys and young men who have come to the cities and villages in Northern Nigeria to study the Holy Qur’an), Islamic schools, Sufi brotherhoods, Izala, and Christian churches; the role of security forces and political parties in the radicalisation of the sect; the competing discourses in international and domestic media coverage of the crisis; and the consequences of the militarisation of the conflict for the Nigerian government and the civilian population, Christian and Muslim. The book is a co-publication of the ASC and IFRA-Nigeria (Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique).

Read the book here.

This book has been published as volume 2 of the West African Politics and Society (WAPOSO) Series.