As the world mourns the vicious massacres in Paris, one of Africa’s top religious leaders suggested that the lack of a similar outcry across the globe over the slaughter of up to 2,000 people by Boko Haram last week in northeast Nigeria is further evidence that Black lives don’t matter as much as whites’.
Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos and president of the Nigerian Bishops Conference, said the international community has expressed “solidarity,” but hasn’t done much to offer real help.
“We have always said that there should be concern expressed more concretely by the West beyond just expressing their solidarity,” Kaigama said. “They should do more than that. Compare what has happened in Paris and what is happening here. There is a great difference.”
According to Amnesty International, most of the people killed in Baga and the surrounding villages were women, children and the elderly, who were not able to flee in time. Reports say that the villages are overwhelmed with dead bodies lying as far as the eye could see. Amnesty International said it was the deadliest massacre Boko Haram has staged in the years of its murderous reign.
In addition to the dead, another 30,000 people are thought to have fled their homes, with about 7,500 seeking sanctuary in Chad and the rest adding to the tens of thousands of displaced people already scattered throughout that region of Nigeria.
On Twitter, Imad Mesdoua, a political analyst at consultants Africa Matters, said, “No breaking news cycle, no live reports, no international outrage, no hashtags,” while actress Mia Farrow and Stephanie Hancock of Human Rights Watch pointed out that there had been “no outrage or headlines” about the Nigerian slaughter.
Harry Leslie Smith, the 91-year-old who the Independent said electrified the Labour Party conference last year with a speech on the NHS, said on Twitter: “Note to the media and Western politicians that Paris isn’t burning but Nigeria is.”
On his Facebook page, Hollywood actor Boris Kodjoe congratulated the world leaders for taking part in the Paris march and asked “can somebody tell me why nobody is marching for those [Nigerian] victims? Any world leaders planning a trip to Lagos or Abuja this week? Too Busy? Bad flight connections?”
While there is a hope that Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will enhance the army after February’s election, many are fearful that Boko Haram, which considers democracy blasphemous, will disrupt the elections with violence.
Archbishop Kaigama said the West should recognize that Boko Haram is not just a Nigerian concern.
“I can smell a lot more trouble. It’s not going to be confined to this region. It’s going to expand. It will get to Europe and elsewhere,” he warned.
Muhammadu Buhari, the former military ruler of Nigeria and Jonathan’s challenger in next month’s presidential election, said more soldiers need to be deployed against Boko Haram.
“I have made this comment before and the federal government refused to react to it,” he said. “The number of soldiers, policemen and officers of the State Security Services they deploy during elections, if they had deployed them to Borno and Yobe states to fight Boko Haram, by now, Boko Haram would have been history.”
I'd like to know what happened to the Nigeria's military response? What kind of government would allow this to happen to its people?
Not minimizing what happened in Paris but the atrocities occurring in Nigeria has not received as much world attention as Paris. Doesn't Black lives matter?
They are cowards….in a very corrupt country. Black lives don't matter!
Until men recognize how connected we are, how hurt in one end of the world quickly translates to pain in the other end, the world will remain in total chaos. To be our brother's keeper means an outcry across the board. To not even mention this in the news is cruelty beyond measure, a blunt act of inequality on the part of the media that cries for justice. As Martin Luther King Jr. puts it, "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends". God save us.
We keep asking the same question. At this point and time on the planet, we do not need to be asking these questions, even after whites continue to thrive off Afuraka. We need to move on, and be what we are suppose to be, we do not need them they need Afuraka. Can Afuraka once in for all, get these neocolonizers out, get them out, after that, make them beg for what they need. Look at Zimbabwe, they made Zimbabwe suffered when Mugabe took the land and gave it to the rightful owners, and now twenty years later, here they come, they have dropped most of the sanctions, and Zimbabwe is on a pretty good road to becomeing powerful again. Long live President Robert Mugabe.
When you have the CIA and the NSA creating groups like Boko Haram and ISIL you'll have problems like this. It's about population control. I wish these African leaders would wake up. Let's go through this one more time. Class is in session. Colonization has always been the main issue. They turn your own country into a hell hole for fun. The Armenian Genocide, The Native American Genocide, The Tasmanian Genocide, The Lost Generation, The Aztecs, The Mayans, The Olmecas, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, Apartheid, The Iraq War, The War on Drugs, The War on Poverty, Fast and Furious, etc. God don't like ugly, but you have to know who the real enemy is!
All lives matter and the world does need to take note of what is an ongoing and growing problem. However, perhaps the difference here may be found in the response and reaction by the governing authorities of Nigeria as compared to that of France. If the Nigerian government is not resolved to hunt down and eliminate terrorists within their country, with whom would a "march of solidarity" take place?
France has shown a strong commitment to eradicate such threats while the Nigerian government has not.
The right to self preservation with the objective to thrive is why I support the premise that it is also a right to keep & bear weapons, because no other is more invested in your preservation than yourself.
Drue Ferguson "..Don't matter enough" is what I think you meant.
This maybe true what you say, but does it have to come down to economics and politics? Shouldn't there be some basic concern that thousands of innocents are being slaughtered? If it has to do with politics, then why are African leaders not doing more to protect the people and demonstrate to the world that they are worth protecting and need help? The corruption should be tackled. Corrupt leaders should be jailed. Then maybe Africans will have a chance.
What did France do. Rose up in protest and security services did not rest till they found the culprits. What has Nigeria done, nothing. The people don't care and so does the government. Not surprising as Nigeria and other African states as well as the Arab world don't give a damp. They are corrupt selfish power hungry criminals ruling. It's not black or white. People need to unite like they did in France.
Just like high gas prices, the world has become used to hearing about Africans being slaughtered by the thousands every year. It no longer makes front page headlines and is but a blurb on the 24 hour cable news networks. We're used to hearing about blacks killing blacks in our urban cities and that seems to take a backseat to every other issue including people losing pets. The truth is that we (Blacks) can not sit around and wait for someone else to see the importance of our lives. We need to figure that out ourselves and teach our young that calling each other 'naggers and hoes' in songs not only disrespects each other, but makes us look like shit as a whole race. Nikki Minage and Chris Brown do not represent me or anyone else I know. The world needs to know that. That is why blacks overwhelmingly support Obama. He represents the kind of African American we all want to be. The fact that he gets shot down overtime he breaths just proves that for some people, there can never be a black man that's 'good enough'.
Is this a revolution taking place?
I agree with you Archbishop Kaigama, the world needs to rally around Nigeria because this's not Nigerian problem alone; it's the world's problem. However, sometimes, people take you serious when you show some example. What has the Nigerian government done to show the world anything. Cameroon just killed more than 140 of Boko Haram's fighters when they crossed over there. Nigeria will sit and fold their arms and expect the world to fight for them. It makes no sense to me. Show that you can govern for heavens sake.
I absolutely agree with you. No other way to put it. Show some concern for yourself & people may look your direction. Nigeria is a wealthy country which should have a pretty robust military to face Boko Haram. The world will come in to help after the government show some concern.
Kojo Ferguson True that!
Great article in the BBC essentially apologizes for not being able to do better journalism about it: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30794829.
It has to be a major reason: Paris was unambiguous, caught on camera, all documented. In Nigeria no one is sure what to believe aside from "something happened" and the Nigerian government is playing it as "no big deal" (clearly not true, but not helpful for people who want to spread fact-based news).
"But we have not heard a word from Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan – except for a statement condemning the Paris attacks." – from the article.
Corruption; some leaders in the affected regions fund the organization.
Kojo Ferguson They need more than protection, they need leaders who will stop them from stealing their resources.
The only evidence we have of America funding a organization like this was Al Qaida back in the 80's. At the time our primary enemy was Russia so we trained Al Qaida to protect themselves. But this is common knowledge, not that much of a secret. I doubt and haven't hears much evidence of CIA creating Boko Haram. I think you're ignoring the real problem and that is islamic terrorism/political islam.
I feel their pain. But my question is….Why aren't Nigerians out there marching and fighting against what is going on in their country? There are millions of Nigerians across the world. At least two million of them are in the US. Why are they waiting for someone else to fight their battle? When black Americans fight for a cause, they don't wait for the Nigerians to initiate a march. So why are they expecting anyone else to initiate a fight for their cause?
It would be wonderful if President Obama would deploy troops to help train soldiers, find and kill Boko Haram leaders and dismantle This terrorist group killing helpless men, women, And children. Black lives do matter! He did it for the middle east but He can't it won't help his own people? What kind of brainwashed, mess Is that!
Because there's on money or political gain.
Nigeria could use its airforce to attack Boko Haram' s seat. If the money to make the planes work had not been trousered somewhere along the line.
Most of the top military guy's are agents to the CIA. They all have vacation homes in the U.S and England.
Christopher Long You might not know, we do. As they said he who feels it knows it.
When the Nigerian Government wanted to declear Boko Haram a terrorist group who blocked that move at the U.N meeting? The Big America. Population control, people.
Nigerian Government annouced how the American Government refused to allow Nigeria to Buy Arms on the International market, so they have resolved to working more with the Russians on Arms trade. Lets follow what is current in the News, I will not blame you for not knowing because you do not live in Nigeria to hear the side of the Government.
It has nothing to do with the fact that they are black.I hate to say it, but African politics has devolved so far that it is one genocidal social cleansing after another. Every time another nation gets involved and helps someone come to power because they say "I will make things better," they soon learn that they are just helping the next mass murder come to power. So world leaders stopped trying to help once they realized that once one war ended, another would begin the next day.
Sending aid is about the best anyone can do, until the leaders and people of the nations that are constantly trying to kill each other learn that it is never going to end. It is pretty much the same sort of violence that was recorded before and during Biblical times; when it was socially acceptable to completely wipe your opponent from the face of the earth simply because they were your opponent.
Christopher Long usa gives trainig, weapons and money to the mercenaires that fought assad. these mercenairies was the origin of al nusrah and ISIS.
Because no one really cares about black people, unless they are entertaining or working minimum wage. But hey, at least their not North Korean right?
Christopher Long http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/09/john-mccain-accidentally-admits-he-met-with-isis-members/.
Thanks Nosa. This is what I want to here…from the people who live there. People who do not live there can only go on speculation. I never trust someone who shares a theory about something. I like people who share their experience. Is it corruption inside the Government of Nigeria, or another American backed land grab to rob the Nigerian country of precious resources? Now I live here in America and I know our history.
Where is the independent verification of the death toll? That Amnesty International, who never sent a man to the town make a wild claim of '2000 dead', and yu parrot it without verification makes you worse than whoever you're criticising, The Nigerian army, which has been battling Boko Haram night and day (while the international media pretends they're not), has put the death toll in Baga at 150. THEY should know because THEY are the ones doing the fighting at the location.
The ruling class in Nigeria steals roughly USD$2-4 million in oil revenue thru "cooking the books" etc; every year from BP and when Britain thretaened an audit, Nigeria's ruling class threatened to throw theem out of the country. Black lives matter least to the black rulers in charge of their defense and protection. I recently spent 3 months in Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia. It's true all over the continent.
Nosa Idehen so what are they doing with those arms that they now have from Russia?
I hate being so ignorant, but who is Boko Haram? I am an avid NPR, BBC, and Huff post watcher/listener/reader and have never heard of this group. Why does this article not give me even a clue who they are? There are so many injustices in this world we share, and I often find my self praying for those on the African continent (because they seem to have more than their share of tragic/horrific happenstance, but my prayers won't bring back the dead…
Chris Samson Andoh The deal is still going on, America, British and Israel is doing all they can to block it and as we all know, even the Russians are under sanction too. Too many things going on that is not allowed to make it to the international News media. Boko Haram was created to Achieve the claim by the Americans some years ago that Nigeria will brake up into many factions in 2015 and they are doing all they can to achieve that goal and if they do, Nigeria being the most populous Black country in the World, believe me it will affect every Black person in the world. Population is Power in the world we live in.
Chris Samson Andoh The deal is still going on, America, British and Israel is doing all they can to block it and as we all know, even the Russians are under sanction too. Too many things going on that is not allowed to make it to the international News media. Boko Haram was created to Achieve the claim by the Americans some years ago that Nigeria will brake up into many factions in 2015 and they are doing all they can to achieve that goal and if they do, Nigeria being the most populous Black country in the World, believe me it will affect every Black person in the world. Population is Power in the world we live in.
Chris Samson Andoh The Nigerian Government have been warned by the power that be, that if the Government go on the offence it will be seen as the Government is killing her own people and that will provoke the international Governments to declare war on Nigeria, The west do not see Boko Haram as a terrorist group. We have heard such before, remember Libya, Iraq. The lies always remain the same but the countries are different.
Evidence often has to be sought out. Look, it is there. This is a succinct lesson in History; and History repeating itself by our tendency to not look.
You guys are giving the CIA way too much credit. I doubt they are as good as you think they are. Then again having a man on the inside isn't all that bad. But to actually think the CIA is creating these groups for the soul purpose to kill people is a bit paranoid.
the same group that kidnapped all though school girls last year.
Denise Quick Thank you. All I found is that they are a terrorist group.
What are they doing? So call Affrica Union/ AU.
****They are corrupt selfish power hungry criminals ruling***Really Darryl? There is no one in the world that is more power hungry, than a WHITE MAN. The white man went into Africa and pillaged, enslaved and oppressed the people. They damn near sucked the country dry of it's natural resources. Yet you have the nerves to call them power hungry, because they are controlling their own. Why is it acceptable when the white man goes into Africa and steal their resources? I agree that they need to take care of their own, but how dare you call them power hungry. If the white man could take over Nigeria right now they would be in there sucking the life out of what's left of the country. They are just pissed off because Nigeria is a country that is basically run by it's people, and you can't steal their oil.
I'm calling bullshxt on this one. You mean to say if the victims in Paris had been black, there wouldn't have been world outrage? It is the context of the attack that prompted such a world response, a freedom of speech issue, and in a city that is not militarized. I am tired of people trying to make everything about race to prove a point.
I still would have been a world outrage. Just as it still would have been Paris….duh.
Why didn't Nigerians or Africans march for themselves? Nigeria is a country of over 150 million. If they can't express their outrage over the killing of their fellow citizens why should the West? I'm not justifying the West's nonchalance, I'm just saying the people need to take their destiny in their own hands and stop looking to the West for salvation because it will never come.
Chris Samson Andoh http://www.nigerianbulletin.com/threads/nigerian-military-now-equipped-with-attack-helicopters-from-russia.106534/.
Exactly my point….duh!
I have to admit that I had not heard about this horrendous event. May God have mercy upon those affected and vengeance upon those afflicting.
Nosa Idehen Can you show (URL or something) where this happened?
Nosa Idehen Can you show (URL or something) where this happened?
Why worry if the European cares? They have been showing Africans ever since they came in contact with our ancestors that the African never mattered. They will not save you and neither will the religions they have conditioned your minds with that only contributes to your inability to do for self.
Where is the collective outrage and public condemnation from the Nigerians themselves, there and in the diaspora? Where is the same comdenation from the African continent? Where is the comdenation from Africans in America, the Caribbean and so on?
We are a sad reactionary group of human beings…no wonder why we are powerless. The ancestors weep…
Why worry if the European cares? They have been showing Africans ever since they came in contact with our ancestors that the African never mattered. They will not save you and neither will the religions they have conditioned your minds with that only contributes to your inability to do for self.
Where is the collective outrage and public condemnation from the Nigerians themselves, there and in the diaspora? Where is the same comdenation from the African continent? Where is the comdenation from Africans in America, the Caribbean and so on?
We are a sad reactionary group of human beings…no wonder why we are powerless. The ancestors weep…
Mr Kaigama, Your own government and military are downplaying the severity of the attacks. They are afraid to admit that they are being outgunned by these thugs. If they lose face with the population at large, they could sway support toward the Islamists for self preservation. They need to admit what's going on. Make a bunch of noise and demand action from the West because #stupid.fucking.hashtag.campaigns.will.not.stop.islamic.radicals.
It's a shame to even suggest Nigeria should be asking for help, it's like asking an asking an arson victim to scream louder so they can be rescued….black lives aren't as equal as any…Pity African leaders have oceans of tears for the so called 1st world and nothing to show for their own kindred. If you not part of the solution surely you must be the cause.
This group kidnapped more than 250 young school girls, and some may have been married off and God knows what. There was a Campaign that the whole world joined including Michelle Barrack, the President's wife '#Bring our Girls Balc' I am surprised you never heard this news. It's been almost a year since this took place, and many of these children will never be found safe. Pray for them and their families.
Not about "black lives" but "hard green cash". As long as boko haram stays away from the oil refineries…they can basically do whatever. Needs more media coverage to gardner more US sympathy.
Luis Enrique The problem is that you can 1) do nothing or 2) do "something". Which is: 2a) do it yourself (ie: invasion) 2b) help somebody else to do it…. and you know what the US always gets wrong? there isn't such thing as a moderate islamist, as that's like looking for a priest that doesn't believe every word of the bible. If you do 2b you will always regret it, because even if you initially get the result you wanted – like expelling Russia – you have to deal with opportunists trying to setup a totalitarian state in their own image. From the wikipedia page on Blasphemy that you can go verify against other sources: "As of 2011, all Islamic majority nations, worldwide, had criminal laws on blasphemy"…. You can never give money and weapons to a group that is going to start sectarian wars as soon as it becomes possible. The US came to know Anwar Al-Awlaki when they went searching around for a "moderate" imam, and ended up blowing him up with a rocket in the end.
Nosa Idehen 1) don't get involved (be complicit) 2a) get involved (invade!) 2b) give money to the corrupt but official government (be an enabler!) 2c) give money to the "freedom fighters" who will do it for you — none of the options is good. In particular 2c is a lot worse than it looks, because if the "freedom fighters" are islamists, then the end goal is to turn the state into a government that criminalizes blasphemny — and of course everybody but your own little group is a bunch of heretics and blasphemers.
Christopher Long it's not just paranoid. It's stupid. Boko Haram is not a stooge of The West being puppeted by mysterious and powerful White People. We do make dumb mistakes and think that we can find the "moderate islamists", and act surprised when the victors turn the state into a merry heretic decapitation factory.
Its not about race, its about greed. You need drug frug (prescription & street) users, oil, minerals… something that keeps the current wealthy
Wow, Its wonderful to have an opportunity to read comments on the above issue. I find this so amusing really. So here goes….Ignatius Kaigama, I really hope you read this! The world outcry about what transpired in France recently would be due to modern, current media resources available. As a result, More people around the world could get involved by commenting or offering condolences but ultimately it was the French investigating authorities that handled criminal matters. So my question is: What would Nigeria want from the International Community in order to be satisfied that due recognition is given? Then there are comments blaming America! This Boko Haram has had media attention for a long time now and I'm positive millions of Nigerian know the where abouts and daily activities of the individuals within this group. Ignatius and other concerned individuals regarding the hideous atrocities committed by B K, please answer or analyse what the Nigerian government has done to stop B K before you throw your hands up and blame others for what you yourself are doing very little about. If B K are that untouchable, then let them run the country. Give B K activities the boot by using the available media exposure, the Nigerian government and its people and you will get an international response you looking for.
You that naive? France has a system where after the attacks police were everywhere, Nigeria is corrupt but if entire villages are wiped out whose gonna be standing?
How can your comment be anymore stupid, we live in a world community and if you sit here and tell me that the world news media didn't cover an a pact like this has nothing to do with the fact that it's a black country, you look like a fool, if this had been in Sweden you don't think the media wouldn't be there, come in don't make yourself out to be the fool you are
Grace Bell I knew of this, but didn't remember the name of the group that did it. I belong to several prayer groups, and we do still pray for safe return, but wonder how many of them are even still alive. It is known these groups do not treat women prisoners well (or women in general). Still though, I only heard a 10 second blurb on the 2000 Nigerians dead, and it was sandwiched in 30+ minute discussion of the "French/Jewish/Muslim crisis"… 2000 deaths vs 12 deaths… something is wrong with the picture on the news.
Beth Prinz…apparently you don't get it. The outrage in Paris is about Paris. Paris is not an African nation. If is were, there would NOT have been an outrage.
It's not the context and I'm calling your statement bullshit, if 2000 white Swedish folks were killed in Nigeria the press would be all over it, and in America most things are about race let's face it and stop living under rocks
It's not the context and I'm calling your statement bullshit, if 2000 white Swedish folks were killed in Nigeria the press would be all over it, and in America most things are about race let's face it and stop living under rocks
Mark Calland..if your response are to me, I think we are saying the same thing. You are correct. The only thing is…..you wouldn't find 2000 Sweds in Africa. So that too is bullshit.
typical blame someone for your mess.
the problem of Nigeria and this babaric unslaught carried out by boko haram is due to the tribal division in nigeria. nigeria was never and can never be one. mine and millions of other people prayers are for nigeria to be divided. boko haram are fighting to bring power back to the north cus according to saduana of sokoto, he said the notherners should never allow us the Biafrans to rule over them. and we have been crying to the entire world to allow us be as we are before the almagamation of 1914 that created nigeria. formally we were never one. we are forced to be nigeria and that is the reason all these killings are going on since 1945. when u divide the country, u will find out that all these killings will stop authomatically. cus to the hausas , we the igbos as christians are infidel……….the blood of the 3.5 million people killed during nigerian genocide against us in 1967 to 70 will not allow the country nigeria to have rest until they allow us to have our freedom. why u see the northerners shouting that the government is bad now is because it is not a notherner who is current president so they got anoyed cus they believe the power is their birthright as they always say and claim. I blame britain for all these atrocites cus if not for thier greed or maybe hatred towards us the igbos all these killings wouldn't have happened…..they gave us over to nigeria muslims by force without our consent and the result is all these killings as they the hausas wants to convert us all to muslims by all means including but not limited to lure most of us with money, scolaships in muslim if we convert and all sorts of cunning way to make it happen………..on BIAFRA WE STAND. we shall be free from nigeria one day……………All hail Biafra……………..google biafra and read the stories urself. thank u all.
kimberly the problem of nigeria is from the foundation. google it. or watch this films , it will tell u more strories…….tears of the sun by bruce willis…..and read…..there was a country…..novel by chinua achebe or read the words of fredick fosyte I think in dogs of war, then again read half of a yellow sun by chimamanda adichie…………do u know why steve jobs converted from chritianity to budda when he was 13 yrs. ok. is because of the genocide the northerners, I mean the hausas committed in our dear biafran land read it in biography of steve jobs……..in bruce willis film (tears of the sun) u will see how the hausas came to our biafran land, killed us and raped our women………google biafra and read more. thank u.
This bishop is a monster himself calling for the arrest and murder of gay people world wide.
Cecil u hit it on the nail! The problem is that MOST people believe CNN, Fox and every other world media organization, so they seriously think this is a "Nigeria problem".
Single reason: Terrorists killing locals is less exciting for consumers than writing about the 'evil religious terrorists' killing the 'innocent' european press.
( modern west vs. traditional religion story ).
30,000 people fled there homes! I see a 15,000 man army that should really hate BK, arm them, and give them some shooting training, and go after BK, take no prisoners, and end this mess.
If the Western world turned a blind eye to the Rwandan genocide, what makes anyone think it will now rally to the defense of innocents in Nigeria?
I agree. Nigerian govt should take the lead and the rest of the world will join, not before.
Thank you, Sir, for posting that. I don't know the politics of Nigeria, or the geography very well. I was impressed by their reaction to Ebola. More "First World" and organized than the First World's response.
For goodness sakes people you are all digressing.. ISLAM is the problem no matter what name it goes by IS ISIS ISIL BOKO HARAM etc Wake up to the GLOBAL massacre of NON-MUSLIM people……. DO SOMETHING NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
Boko Haram means against Western education. Why would the CIA create a group like Boko Haram if it's main objective is to get rid of Western education?
Boko Haram means against Western education. Why would the CIA create a group like Boko Haram if it's main objective is to get rid of Western education?
Honestly, this situation is not about race, colour or hate, it is all pure and simple economics -what will sell and what will not sell pronto! The big media corporations need attention to their networks and will sponsor and also syndicate news that will get the attention of big spenders. The North East part of Nigeria has no such net worth or important entity to attract international attention. That soldiers sent by the government encounter heavily armed ready to die terrorists in the North East of Nigeria will not bring in good ads or mileage for this media outfits. Else, how do you rationalise similar war on the Niger Delta region few years back got the attention and regular Breaking News on CNN, BBC, ALJAZERA etc. This is simply because there are economic interest of this big spenders to protect.
Nigeria is a country joined thinly along ethnic, race and religion lines, any civilian government will want to be extra careful crossing this lines not to escalate the already volatile situation. One one side, we have Boko Haram terrorist fighting unconventionally and with nothing to lose while on the other side is an international acclaim professional Nigerian army being guided by the ethics of the profession and well abreast with Rules of Engagement, especially when civilians are being used as human shields. Except we want a genocide of unquantifiable magnitude against the conscience of the entire world and most especially the Nigeria government then, it will be best advised that the leaders of the world should sit down honestly with the government of Nigeria, share intelligence and work the situation out. The decimated town of Odi in the Niger Delta is still fresh on our mind.
Honestly, this situation is not about race, colour or hate, it is all pure and simple economics -what will sell and what will not sell pronto! The big media corporations need attention to their networks and will sponsor and also syndicate news that will get the attention of big spenders. The North East part of Nigeria has no such net worth or important entity to attract international attention. That soldiers sent by the government encounter heavily armed ready to die terrorists in the North East of Nigeria will not bring in good ads or mileage for this media outfits. Else, how do you rationalise similar war on the Niger Delta region few years back got the attention and regular Breaking News on CNN, BBC, ALJAZERA etc. This is simply because there are economic interest of this big spenders to protect.
Nigeria is a country joined thinly along ethnic, race and religion lines, any civilian government will want to be extra careful crossing this lines not to escalate the already volatile situation. One one side, we have Boko Haram terrorist fighting unconventionally and with nothing to lose while on the other side is an international acclaim professional Nigerian army being guided by the ethics of the profession and well abreast with Rules of Engagement, especially when civilians are being used as human shields. Except we want a genocide of unquantifiable magnitude against the conscience of the entire world and most especially the Nigeria government then, it will be best advised that the leaders of the world should sit down honestly with the government of Nigeria, share intelligence and work the situation out. The decimated town of Odi in the Niger Delta is still fresh on our mind.
As an african, I feel ashamed of what many Africans tend to think! Europe was so involved in reactions to the Paris attack, partially because Paris is very near the surrounding countries and the terror threat is so close to home. The USA and France have many shared agenda and they have worked together in many approaches towards the war in Syria, the wars in Northern Africa etc. How have the neighbouring countries an Africa reacted to the attack in Nigeria? If there is little response, then the problem is within the neighbourhood! How has Nigeria reacted to the various attacks on the African continent before this attack? Sending condolences has never been enough. Countries need militaly support as well in case of such attacks.
Even the African countries whose money is controlled by France were busy sending their condolences to France! How will the watchers take Africa seriously?
Africans themselves have to take the responsibility to show the world that African lives matter or else they will only get support from Humanrights groups in case of such attacks.
Syria has not attacked America directly, that is complete nonsense.
Good to know you were able to muster some measure of sympathy when you learned that christians were suffering though.
Why does this have a date of January 12, 2015, yet reference the Paris attacks?
Nigerias governments Human rights record is already atrocious , it kind of takes away the shock value
No one is asking America to go and cause any more problems than they already have worldwide. Don't you worry about that.
The issue is the expression of the majorly white western media of what is deemed key to their viewers.
Deaths in Africa and the Middle East, though considered sad, are seen as expected. Black and brown lives are seen as expendable. White lives however are not. Every day thousands are dying around the world. Every life has equal value. The western world doesn't seem to perceive it that way.
ignorant comment! More Muslims die by terrorists in one day, than Westerners in probably an year!
The lack of response is terrible, but there was a response. This also happened earlier in the year.
Yes, ignorant. Islam is not the problem. ISIS and Boko Haram terrorists are the problem.
It's was the news focuses on. Remember #Bring Back are Girls? When I saw the heart renching pain in the Parents eyes as they cried and sang, my heart dropped. What is happening is horrific. The terrorism all over the world. My heart hurts for everyone. Please don't start more hate by spreading that no one cares. Make people care. I am not being a racism denier, I have seen done to others and had racism happen to me.
Charlie Hebdo shootings were in January.
If it was a black/white thing, then you'd think, we'd be freaking out over the Ukrainian atrocoties as well, but we're not. Simple fact is, we mourn our close political allies. Just as you would mourn the death of a close friend (regardless of color) as opposed to an aquaintaince or a stranger.
It's because the Nigeria it's not in Europe and it is not rich Nation. African Nations, South American Nations, , Middle East do not count for Newspapers.
Racism.
Someone had nothing to write. So they created a current headline for an old article. This is a January 2015 article, as the date clearly shows. And the current President of Nigeria is not Goodluck Jonathan.
I agree…
It's all about money. Our media is controlled by a handful of congromerates, paid for by mutli-national corporations and driven by ratings. France is a rich nation which is deeply connected with other rich nations. Since the media is largely controlled by and paid for by rich countries, the news in wealthy nations is given top billing. The media in the US is also cluttered with stories about celebrities and other salacious nonsense. It's morphed from journalism to entertainment. Most cable news channels will over-report on every aspect of what happened in Paris, and barely mention other terrorist attacks. It's also troubling for the entire world that a country as wealthy as France could get hit as badly as it did. France has a well armed military, professional police force and an intelligence organization. A poorer nation with far fewer resources is much more vulnerable. One positive side effect of the Paris attacks though, is that it's shedding more light on these radical Islamic groups in other parts of the world. Maybe now Western media will consider these stories more relevant.
Because the media's purpose is to indoctrinate, not inform. It is critical that people learn this, accept this. As long as you continue to "count on" mass media for information, you are denying yourself the truth you NEED to think with.
Its because Africans don't see themselves as human. African Leaders see their citizens as half human beings that didn't deserve to live, and the citizens sees themselves as domestic animals the owner can do with anything he want.
Any day African Youths or citizens remembered that they are human and rise up to demand their right, see others as human and hold their leaders responsible, from that day the whole world will stand still if they hear any tragic incident that happened in Africa. But for now Africa is not a priority to them. SEE YOURSELVES AS HUMAN BEING THAT DESERVED TO LIVE FIRST
I am listening and watching and thinking of the people of Nigeria, but I am only one person…
I believe it's similar to the lack of concern in America over the endless killings in Chicago and other cities. 20 innocent kids at once in a school is a national tragedy, but 20 every weekend in Chicago is just more criminals killing each other. Sadly, I think most people see this and say "Oh, Africans are killing each other again. They're always killing each other."
… that .. and … "well it's only Africans." … remember Rawanda?
The minute I saw this story I knew this would happen. Predominantly white society gets all the attention and support. It is so racist and typical. My heart goes out to all these people and the French military personnel who have been helping them.
This is the system, Europe lives off the winnings of the middle east and African colonies, keeping it's people in the dark literally about what is really going on. It's not that white people don't care. They are uniformed, ignorant, hypnotised and controlled by fear… this is the plan. It's not an accident that it's not in the news.
Maybe it's because they secretly SUPPORT what they are doing?
Good point
It's because we were told that putting French flags on our Faebook profile picture was a terrible thing to do. It's because we were told that condmning one atrocity instead of every single terrible thing in this world (whether we know about it or not) makes us bad people.
It's not cause they're black. ISIS had and still has more advancements in technology and weaponry than Boko Haram. ISIS has also seized large pieces of two neighboring countries, as well as small pieces in a few others. They also finance themselves by controlling oil fields in Iraq. I know it's a crazy idea for both white people and black people that haven't been to the Middle East, but there are tons of black people there, too.
Sue Roediger Well, what do you expect? They have no respect for themselves or each other.
people right next to me matter more, deal with it
Not all French are white!
Does Nigeria have oil ?
What did the blacks in tha U.S.A. have to say?
Cause mass media reporters and reporterets would rather go to France – drink wine, eat good food and try to get laid without getting ebola…
Why do you call what black in the US are saying? What are you saying?
Lots…
EXACTLY Karen….
White people are also controlled by greed. That's the man reason they chose to remain ignorant of their surroundings.
Are you out of your forkN mind? Nigeria is one of the richest countries in the world. The white man's hands are behind all of this. France without Africa cannot survive, the central bank of france still in control of all franc cefa zone. They still stealing uranium in Mali, CAR, Niger, petrol in Tchad, Congo… Diamond, steel and Gold in DRC congo, Corbat in Guinea, Wood in Cameroun and Gabon, Cocoa in Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso…
what are Nigeria or other African nations doing to wipe out these home grown terrorists? Nothing? Lots? What help have they asked for? Any?
Nigeria wasn't a stranger when the US was in there sucking the country out of it's natural resources. The US imports crude oil from Nigeria, so how the phuck are they strangers?
ISIS are funded by Saudi Arabia but no one wants to upset them,personally I would nuke em flat.
I saw this tweet by Sally Kohn and feel that this is representative of mainstream media, politicians, ignorant and uneducated people's perspective:
Muslim shooter=entire religion guilty
Black shooter=entire race guilty
White shooter=troubled soul lone wolf
Is that something that can be proven? Not kidding, cause if so I'd like to see.
I've seen no media coverage (other than this) at all. This may be because the media corps. smelled ratings in Paris, and less so in Africa. But we've see this kind of thing with the American press often, haven't we?
We'll never know what help they're asking for. We aren't even listening.
White people own the media. So they will focus on what affects white people. We need to own media ourslves so we can focus on what affects us.
Hard reacting to events we don't hear about. Each continent focus on it's own continent. We hear some news from other countinents too, but a lot never reach the news. Is the same on every continent actually… The politicans, on the other hand, ought to know and ought to react to the most horrible events and try to fight the bad people out there. And saying that" black lives don't matter" should not the topic here, I think…Paris is very multi coloured. Lots of Africans live there.
Nigeria is an extraordinarily wealthy country. If anybody in power there really cared about the allegations in this article then they could easily afford the best mercenaries in the world to resolve this situation.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30794829
You need to stop being racist Martin.
The Americans did look into helping Nigeria when the 'Bring Back our Girls' happened with Boko Haram. But they found that the Nigerian gov't was almost as bad as Boko Haram, so they decided that helping a bloody dictatorship wasn't worth bringing 200 girls home. Probably nothing will change this time either.
Brand Cannister So me telling black folk we need to own our own media is being racist. SLAVERY IS OVER. YOU CONTROL US NO MORE AND NEVER AGAIN.
As Foxx pointed out, this story is NOT in response to the latest attacks in Paris, but rather the Charlie Hebdo incident 10 months ago. Some people are sharing it to social media as if it's current–they're a bit confused.
Why is this dated January 12, 2015?
Fred Harris Why say that, when Laurie is clearly listening? Let's support those who care. Let's support each other. Let's do our part to be conscious and make a difference where we can.
Stuart Wilson Right… violence precipitates peace! Thanks for reminding us!
I would imagine the Paris attacks referenced are the Charlie Hebdo shootings.
Usual story….poor African country with no big resources like oilfields
your country, your people you take control and fight the infidels its your responsibility not the west
of course you had to make it a racial thing