http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/showRecord.php?RecordId=38452 Record Details Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/showRecord.php?RecordId=38452 http://www.humansecuritygateway.com/showRecord.php?RecordId=38452 Over the past three years Boko Haram has grown ever more dangerous and now poses the most serious threat to Nigeria’s stability. So far, the Nigerian Federal Government’s efforts to contain and defeat the group have seemingly achieved little. Moreover, there is more than a suspicion that some of its actions, such as the summary execution of Mohammed Yusuf, and failures, such as to combat corruption and develop a comprehensive and effective strategy to reduce poverty, have actually helped the group. The Federal Government’s interactions with Boko Haram continue to take two main forms – direct military operations against it and more covert, indirect negotiations. The military response has been uncompromising and, in part, self-defeating. And the negotiations have also struggled to have much effect, mainly because the Federal Government has been unable to fully co-ordinate its efforts with other important stakeholders in northern Nigeria. While these attempts may persuade some parts of Boko Haram to put down their weapons, they are unlikely to change the minds of more radical and committed elements. Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre