[GGA] One thing the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has successfully done since its Boko Haram split has been to remain obedient and loyal to the Islamic State (IS).
Though IS does not impose leaders on the group, allowing it to send the names and profiles of the leaders it wants for approval and vetting, ISWAP normally values and accepts IS suggestions.
As a result, through the guidance of the global terror organisation, ISWAP has grown into one of its most successful affiliates in the world, mentoring others like IS Sahel and IS Central Africa.
This success has attracted huge interest from foreign fighters who, amid the setbacks suffered by IS in the Middle East following US-led military campaigns, increasingly view Africa, particularly West Africa, as a favourable destination for continuing their jihad.
| Jihad tourists. A long-standing activity, pledging their special selves to each new, hot battlefield in turn until they are pointlessly killed. |
While some foreign fighters are reportedly deployed directly by IS central, others travel independently to join the group. Upon arrival, these fighters are often held in high esteem by local members due to the IS’s global reputation, as well as the expertise they bring in areas such as combat operations, medicine, technology, administration, and theology.
| “ULULULULU! Allahu Akhbar! Hear the difference? Now you do it, Abu Islam.” |
Over time, some of these foreign fighters began to view themselves as indispensable to the organisation because of the expertise, operational experience, and transnational connections they bring. Many have backgrounds shaped by conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the Sahel, and often see their contributions as central to ISWAP’s military effectiveness, propaganda sophistication, administrative structures, and ideological development.
According to former members, some have consequently developed expectations of greater influence within the organisation, including appointments to strategic command, religious, intelligence, or administrative positions.
| Go on — tear each others’ throats out. It’s the most useful things you lot could do to win Allah’s favour. |