Deradicalisation of Boko Haram Insurgents a Bandits: A Soft-power Approach in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2023-10-05
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Abstract
Insecurity has made the state government unproductive, aggressive, and unable
to protect its citizens and territory. Insurgency activities like Boko Haram and
banditry are common in the sub-Saharan region, particularly in Nigeria, Lake
Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger Republic. The perpetrators of these numerous
crises have notably targeted victims and state institutions in northern Nigeria.
These incessant attacks have stimulated a deradicalization response; however,
despite the deradicalization measures to end the Boko Haram insurgency and
banditry, the attacks still continue unabated. It raises concerns about the
effectiveness of the deradicalization strategy against insurgencies. This brings
to the fore the importance of soft power deradicalization strategies such as
pardoning, socio-economic empowerment, and re-integration of insurgents and
bandits into society. Although the soft-power deradicalization initiative often
draws attention and commendation, it also raises doubts about sustainability in
sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on the theory of deradicalization and the
systematic qualitative method, this article examines a soft-power
deradicalization strategy against Boko Haram and banditry insurgencies in sub-
Saharan Africa. The findings expand discussion on the dimensions of
deradicalization strategy and its potential in promoting positive outcomes
against insurgency in sub-Saharan Africa. It suggests the deployment of soft
power as a deradicalization strategy to locally tackle insurgency in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
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