In a new video, the Islamic State of West Africa (Iswap), the Islamic State’s arm for Boko Haram, claims that Abubakar Shekau’s group has joined its ranks. Is this really the case? For Vincent Foucher, a researcher at the International Crisis Group, signals point in this direction, but still deserve to be refined.
Six weeks later death of Abubakar Shekau in an attack on his stronghold in Sambisa, the spokesman for Iswap welcomes these images of the “found unity” between the two rival groups. But for Vincent Foucher, the situation is still unclear.
This seems to indicate that at least some of Shekau’s troops are indeed being moved to Iswap, the pro-Islamic state faction. Now that we look at the whole unit, we know that there is a faction in northern Chad Sea, on the border between Chad and Niger, led by Bakura Doro, who is reluctant. She also released a video that stands out from Iswap and refuses to promise loyalty but at the same time demands a kind of ISIS arbitration. Playing right now. What is quite clear is that Iswap is in a strong position right now in this area. Several attacks have been seen in areas traditionally controlled by Shekau. The attack was claimed on behalf of Iswap by the Islamic State. In addition, another clue: we have seen a decline in attacks on civilians in Cameroon, which was a place where Shekau’s troops carried out a lot of looting and predation against civilians. This decline may be a clue that Islamic State doctrine is beginning to be followed by groups once linked to Shekau.
► To read also: After the death of Abubakar Shekau, what future for Boko Haram?
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