The Heat: Fighting militants in Tunisia and West Africa

The Heat

Across Africa, battle lines are being drawn against militant groups. In West Africa, a multi-national force is gearing up to fight Boko Haram. A 6-year insurgency has left at least 15,000 dead. In Tunisia, the government extended a state of emergency and deployed thousands of police officers to guard hotels and beaches after deadly attacks.

Over the last few months, hundreds of people have been killed in Nigeria and across the region in attacks linked to the Islamic militant group, Boko Haram. Leaders have pledged more than 8,000 troops to wage an offensive, but so far funding issues have delayed the start of military operations.
Nigeria’s newly elected President Muhammadu Buhari says his top priority is tackling the insurgency.

The Heat spoke to these guests:

  • From Boston, Aminu Gamawa. He’s a lawyer and conflict resolution expert.
  • Nii Akuetteh is the Executive Director of the African Immigrant Caucus.

Tunisia’s parliament recently passed an anti terrorism law, after gunmen with ties to the Islamic State carried out two devastating attacks in the past five months.

In March, gunmen stormed the National Museum in Tunis killing 22 people. Then in June, another gunman attacked a resort in Sousse, killing 38 tourists. Since then, the government has mobilized additional military and police to guard hotels and museums.

The United Nations estimates some 55,000 Tunisians have joined the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Now Tunisia is building a 160-kilometer wall along its border with Libya, in an effort to stop Islamic terrorists from entering the country.

The Heat spoke to Alberto Fernandez. He’s the Vice President of the Middle East Media Research Institute and a U.S. diplomat.