Nigeria: international community’s deafening silence

Five suicide little girls killed 4 deaths (including themselves) and 41 wounded in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Explosions took place near a mosque, after the evening prayer, and security building. Although it has not claimed responsibility yet, attacks are very probably endorsed by Boko Haram. In addition, it’s not the first time that this jihadist organization uses brainwashed girls to hit population.

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If Syria and Libya are in international community spotlights, the same can not be said for Nigeria, as evidenced by refusal of military aid from the United States last July. Already in September, Borno has seen over 100 casualties caused by Boko Haram. Nigerian army outposts strengthening in Maiduguri and African military force creation along with Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria and Benin have not led to the desired results, despite some hostages release in north-eastern Nigeria.

In addition, to worsen this context, there is sanitation situation in the capital of Borno State. As reported by MSF, in the count of 16 September, there were 16 deaths and 172 cases of cholera in the camps in Maiduguri. Displaced people at these facilities would be 1,600,000, too many for the number of beds available: “Once again, MSF and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are alone on the field,” MSF Head of Mission in Nigeria Ghada Hatim said.

The news of Boko Haram arrival in Libya and the migration emergency due to the displacement of hundreds of thousands Chadians and Nigerians, can no longer remain silent. Finally, Nigerian division between developed south and under siege north, it makes almost impossible refugee status to Nigerian people escaped by Boko Haram: indeed, Nigerian people are generically considered illegal economic migrants.

Giacomo Pratali

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