Negotiations: Going Legit

Only 18% of terrorist groups engage in talks.

A common problem Cronin reports is when negotiations drag on with periods of cease-fire and high-level violence.

So far, BH has been extremely opposed to face-to-face negotiations as not to give away location and any information.  

Furthermore, it is highly dangerous to meet face to face with representatives.  Negotiations over the phone tend to be the best option.   

Negotiations require building trust between both parties.

Local religious leaders are frequently called in to help resolve similar standoffs in other countries, are not necessarily an option since BH tend to distrust them as having “sold out” to the Nigerian authorities.

negotiations with BH comes with a heavy price.

The group will want substantive concessions, which the Nigerian government is reluctant to give.  Both the US government and the UN have been actively discouraged governments from paying ransoms to proscribed terrorist groups.

May 13, 2014: guns over gab

Nigerian cabinet minister Tanimu Turaki reports that Nigeria is ready to talk with BH to negotiate the release of the abducted girls.

Abubakar Shekau said on Monday that captured girls who had not converted to Islam could be swapped for jailed fighters.  Mr Turaki said that if Shekau was sincere, he should send representatives for talks.  However, the Nigerian government changed its stance and would “use whatever kind of action” it took to free the girls, noting a military operation with foreign aid.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27430537

http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR240Cronin.pdf

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27398640