Why is Nigeria ignored while the world marches for Paris?
Around 2,000 people were reportedly killed in a massacre last week in what is believed to be Boko Haram's deadliest attack in the country till date.
While around 3.7 million people marched along with the world leaders to show solidarity with the 17 victims of the Paris attacks, the tragedy unfolding in Nigeria was largely muted in news coverage.
Around 2,000 people were reportedly killed in a massacre last week in what is believed to be Boko Haram's deadliest attack in the country till date. But the incident did not see the same level of international solidarity for the victims and determination against the religious extremism destroying the country. So why has the world not expressed the same kind of support for Nigeria? The response alluded to the fact that the lives in the oriental world still matter very little.
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Not just the world, it seems like even Nigeria's leaders are attempting to sideline the Boko Haram massacre which has almost eradicated the city of Baga. Along with other world leaders, the President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan also issued a strong statement condemning the Islamist attacks against the satirical magazine in France. However, at the same time he has been downplaying Nigeria's misery. Jonathan is up for re-election next month and seems to be hushing the incident to appear more in control of the situation in the country. He has also been criticised for celebrating and dancing on his niece Ine’s wedding in the aftermath of the Baga massacre.
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Reports state that in 2014 around 27 Nigerians died each day from Boko Haram related violence. The kidnappings of the school girls, which once held the attention of the world, still continue. However, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign seems to have slipped from people’s minds now. The attacks in Nigeria have garnered little reaction from world leaders, but after the media noted this, the first march for Baga victims was organised in Paris. Even social media has attempted to show more support with the slogan “I am Baga”, a play on France’s “I am Charlie.
Will the world continue to be deaf to the subaltern even if it screams?