Sectarian violence kills hundreds in Nigeria

You have to wonder what the European colonial powers were thinking when they drew the map of Africa as it exists today. While ethnic diversity is not an absolute precondition for social in-fighting, it seems to be unfailingly so in Africa. What's worse is that when the European empires were leaving, they insisted that the lines they drew stay in place no matter what.

Curate:

The Europeans did that for convenient purpose plus I doubt they have detailed maps of Africa back then. If you look at US and Canada, it's basically the same thing.

It's been more than 60 years since WW2, those African countries are free to split/merge whatever way they want.

abz2k/

As you eloquently put it, Africans would most likely fight over something else. Ethnic and class rivalry seems to be the main underlying factor here.

And Islam and Christianity both had a long, long history in Africa and cannot merely be dismissed as leftovers of colonialism. More so over Islam though.

The irony here is that both these religions are left-overs of past colonialism. Here's an idea: abandon these imports and re-embrace their own indigenous religions (with some adjustments in keeping with the 21st century of course). Then at least they cannot fight over religion...although I'm sure they'll find something else to fight over.

The main problem, as I see it, is not the boundaries of the State of Nigeria, but the lack of economic development and the accompanying overpopulation (relative to available resourses). That creates tensions that can be exploited by radical elements, or enhance old enmities and lead to tit-for-tat violence. Which, as the article points out, in turn hampers economic development.

If only simply shifting a few borders were a solution...!

The major problem of Nigeria is the absence of law and order. The impression of existing order in the major cities can be very misleading.
Another problem is the lack of courage on part of southern politicians to demand effectively for a fairer basis of existence rather than leaving this to pressure groups. They rather pursue their personal interests and toe national rhetorics rather than risk the consequences of being ostracised from enjoying patronage of a unaccountable, irresponsible, overfunded and inefficient monolithic central government essentially controlled by a clique of medieval traditional but now ceremonial monarchies and military elite both with Islamic orientation from the north, and supported by their medieval and ceremonial equivalents and clique of neo-conservatives from the southwest...
These people are secure. The structure of our security framework might undo their untouchability, hence our security forces are not independent, impartial or properly oriented enough to help build a truly civil society.
Moreover, the citizenry is largely ignorant and make easy fodder for religious and ethnic manipulations. Nevertheless, it will be more prudent for the Nigerian constitutions to recognize our ethnic and religious diversities than for us to continue pretending that we are one nation when in reality we are only being glue together under the duress of forces in both civil and military spheres who are loyal to this clique...

Even if they are 2 different countries in the first place , wouldn't the North just invade the South for their resources?

Also, I don't understand what define a conflict sectarian or not. Wouldn't only short term resource driven conflict be non-sectarian and if that conflict drag on, wouldn't it automatically become sectarian as hate building up?

It's not that easy to split up a country, even for Nigeria, where the North and the South don't get along with each other. I'm sure the south wants to split with the north, just like the Biafran War. But the north will make sure this doesn't happen with their remaining military control because the north won't be able to survive without the oil and sea ports in the south.

Sadistic savouring of blood is the natural aesthetic of the north.Why? they are animals period.They prefer to hack helpless hapless victim to death with cutlass,less messy ways could be used even if nerve are frayed.Killing of any form is distatefull and disgusting.Why this killing? Could it be harsh element in the north, i read some where it has a way of getting to the brain.I repeat the psychotic animals are more animal than animal no one has anything to lose if you treat them thus.Let that be the vent of my anger.To the kernel of the issue.This violence will continue believe me you, reprisal will mount, statistics will mount, death toll wil not trail off.Quo vadis: Declare a state of emergence however unsavoury it may be in plateau state. All arrested suspects should be given accelerated trial and those found guilty should be punished severally according to the law to deter others, Now to more serious prescriptions All religious leaders involved should be dealt with ruthlessly they should all be held accountable for all the carnage and all radical religious groups should be criminalised and most importantly religious contents of what any religion dish out should be thoroughly reviewed so as to expunged all violent rhetorics and fundamentalism replete in it from all religions in nigeria.This may be sensitive but ignore it and violence will not seize.Sol tempo!