Al-Qaeda and Islamist Militant Influences on Tribal Dynamics: The Northern Mali and Northeastern Nigeria Regions
Abstract
A key question in this project was to understand the factors and mechanisms that facilitate collaboration or antagonism; that is the sociological, religious, and cultural factors associated with close or oppositional ties between tribes, ethnic groups or sub-groups visa-vis Islamist militant groups? We focused on Nigeria in the struggle with Boko Haram, and the case of Mali vis--vis AQIM and other militant groups. The research shifted to concentrate on Nigeria (with the addition of its neighbors Cameroon, Niger and Chad), with the program officer's permission. The project generated more data qualitative, quantitative, geospatial and more varied data on this data problem-set than any other group we are aware of; made key and extensive findings on factors driving support (or opposition) to Boko Haram on, inter alia demographic and geospatial levels; it generated very significant methodological and technical advances (including new tool in the High Definition Tribalism Index) which will shape future research on this problem set but also cognate areas (for example, understanding factors behind good governance and economic development); increased our 'situational awareness'; brought the level of analysis to a level of granularity previously lacking in this are (drawing on new equations); and generated an ability to understand areas that were under Boko Haram control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 05, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1001840
Entities
People
- David R Jacobson
Organizations
- University of South Florida