International

Hundreds Die Over the Weekend in Nigeria

Molly Burns

As of Monday March 8, 2010 human rights groups and officials in Nigeria have stated that 500 people (mainly women and children) have been killed near the Nigerian city of Jos. The total causalities was released by the local government and confirmed by the President of the Civil Rights Congress. According to witnesses and police officials, those killed were members of a Christian ethic group who have clashed with another group, the Hausa-Fulani, for years. The killings have been labeled as retaliation for an attack in January when over 150 Muslims were killed in and around Jos. On Monday March 8, 2010 following the attack, troops were deployed to guard the streets. Residents stayed in their homes, shops closed early, and according to Police 95 people were arrested.

Acting Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has also ordered security forces to prevent more weapons from being brought into the area and has fired the country's national security adviser, Sarki Mukhtar. Human rights advocates, such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have voiced concerns that better security is needed in Jos and that the Nigerian government needs to take steps in order to secure the city. Apart from its affiliation with the UN, the US has had little involvement with the issue. This is mainly because the ethnic conflicts that exist in the region cannot be alleviated through monetary means or military assistance.

• Nigeria: Country located in West Africa. It people are mainly divided into three primary ethnic groups, the Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba, and in terms of religion are mainly split half and half between Christians and Muslims. Competition between these three groups has caused conflict and violence ever since Nigeria gained its independence from the UK in 1960.
• Jos: Nigerian city that has been the center of tensions between Christians and Muslims.
• Dogon Na Hauwa- village a few miles south of the city where the worst violence occurred.
• Hausi-Fulani: Muslim ethnic group who mainly reside in Northern Nigeria.
• President Goodluck Jonathan: Vice President and current Acting President who formally took over last month from President Umaru Yar'Adua, who resigned due to a heart problem.

• Argument for US intervention: Violence has been constant in Nigeria and a more concerted effort from outside sources could save hundreds of lives.
• Argument against US intervention: The problems Nigeria faces are rooted in issues over land conflicts, poverty, and discrimination that cannot be easily solved and will most likely be changed if the Nigerian Government initiates domestic remedies.

Additional Reading:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/world/africa/09nigeria.html?ref=world

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/world/africa/10nigeria.html?ref=world

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8558246.stm