Leiden University Student Repository

Bouwsema, Daan (2023)

The Geostrategy of the Nigerian Counterinsurgency Campaign Against Boko Haram

Bachelor thesis | Security Studies (BSc)

The conflict between Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgency has caused a lot of suffering in North-East Nigeria. Additionally, food, water, and refugee crises are created in the region as a result of the conflict. Scholars have written about the dynamics of the Boko Haram insurgency and the counterinsurgency operations of the Nigerian forces. From the counterinsurgency point of view much has been written related to the different actors or human rights. The geographical perspective on counterinsurgency has not been touched upon much and this is what will be done in this study. In this study the research question: How can we explain the geostrategy of Nigeria in its conflict with Boko Haram? This will be attempted via a case study analysis on the Nigerian counterinsurgency operations in combination with a focus on the natural resources oil and water. Findings suggest that the presence of these resources allow for a geostrategic explanation of Nigeria in the conflict. Additionally, the...Show moreThe conflict between Nigeria and the Boko Haram insurgency has caused a lot of suffering in North-East Nigeria. Additionally, food, water, and refugee crises are created in the region as a result of the conflict. Scholars have written about the dynamics of the Boko Haram insurgency and the counterinsurgency operations of the Nigerian forces. From the counterinsurgency point of view much has been written related to the different actors or human rights. The geographical perspective on counterinsurgency has not been touched upon much and this is what will be done in this study. In this study the research question: How can we explain the geostrategy of Nigeria in its conflict with Boko Haram? This will be attempted via a case study analysis on the Nigerian counterinsurgency operations in combination with a focus on the natural resources oil and water. Findings suggest that the presence of these resources allow for a geostrategic explanation of Nigeria in the conflict. Additionally, the study illustrates the influence water could have when combined with a counterinsurgency framework. These findings are relevant in widening of theShow less

Geostrategy

Nigeria

Boko-Haram

Counterinsurgency

Sahel

Water

Oil

Author

Bouwsema, Daan

Faculty

Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs

Supervisors

Meer, A. van der

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en