The Boko Haram group confirmed the death of its historic leader, Abubakar Shekau, last week. This had already been announced by the group Islamic State in West Africa (Iswap) two weeks earlier. What remains of the Boko Haram group after its disappearance? What are the new power relations between the jihadists from Iswap and the men who remained loyal to Shekau on the shores of Lake Chad?
as reported from Lagos, Liza Fabbian
Abubakar Shekau was killed around May 18 after blowing up his explosive belt to escape the rival jihadist group that had surrounded him in his stronghold in the Sambisa forest. It is difficult at this stage to know whether Abubakar Shekau will really have a successor, or even whether Boko Haram will really survive the death of its leader.
The video released last Wednesday, June 16, by the Bakura faction of Boko Haram does not mention a new imam who would have taken the head of JAS (Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’adati wal-Jihad) until it was led by Shekau.
Researcher Vincent Foucher indicates that information from the Sambisa region suggests that many lieutenants of Abubakar Shekau have already gathered for Iswap.
The Islamic State group seems fairly certain to have regained control of this stronghold and no information on possible resistance has yet come from other regions so far controlled by Shekau’s men, according to the analyst.
Only the Bakura faction, which is established on Lake Chad, seems to be resisting at the moment. Not enough to shift the balance of power, which has long been favorable to Iswap in the region.
Also read Nigeria: Abubakar Shekau dead as a “martyr”, according to Boko Haram
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