Boko Haram is deadlier than ISIS – Egyptian Expert

Egyptian Philosophy professor, Nabil Zaki, who has been Editor-in- Chief and editorialist for newspapers and magazines for years, says terrorism and piracy are major threats to Africa.

Nabil suggested that Boko Haram is the deadliest terror group in the world – even of a bigger threat than ISIS. He observed that the Nigerian-based terror group has killed more people than the DAESH militia. “Nigeria and Cameroon have suffered serious attacks recently and Boko Haram occupies about 52 square kilometers of territory, the size of Slovakia he said.

Nabil, who is a member of the African- Asian solidarity organization, says people who think dialogue with terrorists is possible are mistaken. “It is impossible. Some countries in the West are not willing to fight against terrorism. When these conflicts go on, it gives room for the countries to buy uranium, cobalt, oil, and diamonds from Africa at very low cost. They want the wars to go on. They want to get these things cheap or even free”, he stated.

To him, “the West wants Arab countries to be busy fighting while they exploit. What are their plans for Africa and Arabs? They plan to make them divided and weak so that they can rob the remaining resources.”

Applying some illustration to his point, Nabil said the US engineered conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Iraq and uses veto power to protect Israel and Turkey which is buying oil from ISIS. He said he met a retired army general in the U.S who confessed he smuggles arms to a small village near Turkey from Qatar. He emphasized that terrorism booms because of corruption and lust for money.

Meanwhile, Egypt will begin representing Africa in the UN Security Council as from January 2016, Egyptian authorities said.

Egyptian ambassador, Mona Omar says they would highlight priorities of the continent at all the council sessions. “Africa is the second area of the world attracting foreign investment but has seven of the world’s poorest nations. There’s no social justice, no infrastructure, no democracy and 34% of its population suffers from poverty. Egypt believes in an African industrial policy that would change things,” she said, adding that despite strides covered by the AU in creating alternative sources of finance to eradicate dependency on foreign aid, a lot still needs to be done.

Africa is not brought to the table when the millennium and sustainable development goals agendas are discussed. Ambassador Mona said this will be one of Egypt’s priorities as permanent member of the UN Security Council.

She also picked issues with the International Criminal Court, saying that it’s only targeting African leaders. Mona says they would demand the court treats all members countries same. Going by the Egyptian diplomat, Libya was targeted and destroyed because of its riches. She regretted that conflicts in Africa seem unending and noted that Egypt and the AU are supporting the fight against terrorism.