Boko Haram's Succession into the Islamic State of West African Province: General Conditions for Emergence and Continuation of Violent Extremism

Conditions perpetuate across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin regions that favor the endurance of violent extremism; however, through advances in governance and behavior, we could mitigate current extremism, the Islamic State in Western Africa Province (ISWAP), for several decades. Context and evidence to reaffirm this claim are contained herein, which points to greater implications on addressing radicalization broadly, and ends with prescriptions for both governments and tactical commanders. First, one must grasp a history of the Lake Chad Basin to understand that the conditions for Boko Haram's rise into violent extremism did not occur spontaneously. We also find that Boko Haram also adjusted alongside the Islamic State in Iraq and al 'Sham (ISIS) to declare a western region of control, ISWAP. The situation in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin provided fertile ground over centuries of conflict. With history covered, the paper considers varying schools of thought to counter violent extremist insurgencies with a particular focus on the conditions leading to violence. Next, the paper analyzes Nigerian government responses and those of coalition partners over the past half-century. Lastly, drawing lessons derived from Lobban, Byman, and Cronin, I provide courses of action to counter ISWAP today, largely by addressing the underlying causes. Moreover, the prescriptions conclude with suggestions for commanders posted across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, operational leaders within the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and lastly for African governments and coalition state departments to consider toward removing dissent and grievance fostering operations.