The Nigerian armed forces have been involved in heavy clashes with Islamist militants near the border of Chad in the last few days. Estimates vary about the numbers of people killed but irrespective of the final death toll it is clear that the town of Baga was badly hit. Also, the armaments used by suspected Boko Haram Islamists is highlighting a worrying trend because their military arsenal is growing. Meanwhile the nation of Mali needs to know that France and the international community will continue to support central forces in this nation. Also, given the knock-on-effect from the demise of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya then nations like America and the United Kingdom have a responsibility to assist Mali. After all, the changing dynamics of Libya witnessed many vacuums. This applies to a plentiful supply of military arms which have been used in Mali, the Algerian hostage crisis and of course many ratlines are being used in order to destabilize Syria. Therefore, Mali is a victim of the whims of America, major Gulf powers, France and the United Kingdom because of their short-sighted objectives which often lead to many new nightmares. In Nigeria the issue is internal but given the nature of international terrorism and the many ratlines in the Gulf whereby petrodollars are supporting Islamist indoctrination through many angles; then events in Libya and Mali can soon become interconnected either to a major degree like in Mali – or based on growing terrorist networks because of failed states. The destabilization policies of America, France, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and major Gulf powers; are always short-sighted and often their policies create major chain reactions which can’t be contained. The civilizational war is equally important in Mali and Nigeria because Gulf petrodollars and international jihadist groups want to destroy indigenous black African Islam. In Mali the rich cultural norms of Islam in this country were attacked ideologically and physically. This applies to destroying Sufi shrines, indigenous Islamic architecture and then enforcing barbaric Gulf Islamist norms on society. Indeed, this fresh colonialism is not only abhorrent but it highlights the reality that Gulf nations and Islamist terrorist networks hate religious diversity within the Muslim world alongside despising the non-Muslim world. In another article by Modern Tokyo Times it was stated that “In modern day Mali you currently have multinational forces being led by France which are attacking Islamist forces. Much of the chaos in Mali was instigated by genuine ethnic concerns in the north, the internal political chaos, weakness of central forces and other important factors which enabled many vacuums to take place. Thereby, the failed state of Libya became the” negative icing on the cake.” The Libya angle applies to enormous military hardware being available and the failed state reality whereby ethnic and religious forces entered the failed political landscape of Mali. Therefore, once Islamists got the upper hand against ethnic forces in Mali and decided to consolidate their powerbase further south; then Islamists “crossed a line” that France wasn’t willing to accept. However, given the nature of Islamist tactics in Afghanistan and Somalia, and other parts of the world; then it would appear that the proposed pull-out by France is too soon. After all, multinational forces and the central government still appear weak without France playing a leading role despite the professionalism within elite Chad military units.” Since this was stated President Deby of Chad commented that “Face-to-face fighting with the Islamists is over. The Chadian army does not have the skills to fight a shadowy, guerrilla-style war that is taking place in northern Mali…Our soldiers will return to Chad. They have accomplished their mission. We have already withdrawn a mechanized battalion.” However, the leader of Chad did state reassuringly that military personnel from this country would partake in the 10,000 contingent of forces under the wing of the United Nations (UN) once the military operation changes the baton to the UN. Of course, Chad fears being over-stretched because of possible internal issues, the continuing chaos in the Central African Republic, the recent heavy clashes between Islamists and the army of Nigeria near the border of Chad – and because of other important issues related to regional concerns and economic limitations. Therefore, it is essential that France remains the backbone for Mali irrespective if the military angle is reduced in numbers. In Nigeria the clash between the military and Islamist terrorists a few days ago is known to have killed many people near the border of Chad. Some reports are claiming extremely high numbers but the military denies such figures. What is known is that suspected Boko Haram Islamists are becomingly increasing better armed. This reality will be setting off alarms bells within the military of Nigeria. It is also unclear if the Islamist assault against Baga was a response to the political overtures currently going on in this nation – or, equally, if Boko Haram will use this attack in their bargaining chip with central forces in Nigeria. The BBC reports that “Religious and political leaders in northern-eastern Nigeria, the epicentre of the insurgency, recently called for an amnesty….The president responded at the beginning of April by asking a team of security advisers to look into the possibility of granting the militants a pardon.” Therefore, it would appear that regional internal leaders, the central government in Nigeria and representatives from Boko Haram are talking through various channels. Of course, a possible amnesty will be the start of a long journey providing Boko Haram comes on board. However, if you look at the complex nature of the Philippines, then it is more than likely that several splinter groups will emerge because militants within Boko Haram are very far away from the thinking of indigenous Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria. Also, like the recent clash a few days ago it is more than apparent that Boko Haram is increasingly becoming better organized and militarily supplied. Indeed, given the nature of various Islamist forces throughout parts of West and North Africa then the growing network may be ushering in a new stage. It would therefore appear that Nigeria is faced by the growing internal angle alongside the shadowy international angle. Until Boko Haram does decide to enter genuine talks then the words of Brigade Commander Iliyasu Abba should be heeded. He stated that “this is the time to demonstrate courage in the face of naked terror to assist the security agencies overcome the challenges posed by the terrorists in our midst” Turning back to Mali then the Austrian Foreign Ministry commented that “The creation of democratic institutions is the vital first step for assuring that other additional aid measures will be effective in Mali and the region. The EU training mission for Mali is an important component of European commitment here. The agenda for this initiative is to train the armed forces in Mali and to ensure that they are capable of re-establishing territorial control over the entire country. The maintaining of human rights can only be achieved if appropriate training is given to the army in Mali.” It is imperative that France, the European Union and regional nations in Africa work together in order to stem the tide of Islamist terrorism in Mali and to give fresh hope to the people of this country. Ethnic issues also need to be addressed. Equally essential is that the infrastructure is given adequate funding because Islamists seek economic, political, educational and religious chaos. Also, the petrodollars of the Gulf need to be cut when it applies to political and religious ambitions which are based on Islamist indoctrination by stealth. Nigeria and Mali face enormous challenges but both nations need to know that the international community is focused on progressive forces in order to defeat “the forces of death, sectarianism and religious hatred.” In the past, Mali was betrayed by the political intrigues of major Western and Gulf powers which unleashed negative vacuums after overthrowing Colonel Gaddafi in Libya. At the same time, the sinister role of Gulf petrodollars which seeks to destroy indigenous African Islam needs to be watched carefully and this also applies to Nigeria. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22243834 http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/foreign-ministry/news/press-releases/2013/lopatka-mali-braucht-die-unterstuetzung-der-eu-beim-aufbau-demokratischer-strukturen.html leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com