Africa’s Jihadists, On Their Way

The most extreme ideologies tap into widespread frustrations and flourish in nations and communities that fail their people with poor education and governance. The Economist interviews youths who live in Chad, a country rich in oil but inept in distributing benefits to its citizens: “Most would rather have jobs than become religious marauders, but given the chance they may be tempted to join a group that is evidently successful.” Instead, the Chad government purchases weapons and emphasizes a military response. Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria as well as Chad are susceptible to the lawlessness, bullying, corruption and terror generated by extreme and bizarre religious beliefs. Thousands of refugees have left their homes, converging in border areas of countries that cannot handle their own affairs. The inability of Nigeria or the international community to rescue more than 200 schoolchildren kidnapped by Boko Haram – or protect schools – has only emboldened the extremists. – YaleGlobal