Nigeria: Abubakar Shekau dead as a "martyr" according to Boko Haram
It is indeed "as a martyr" that Abubakar Shekau (our photo) was killed, says Boko Haram.
Boko Haram / AFP / File
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It had already been announced by the Islamic State in West Africa group on Sunday, June 6, but Boko Haram confirmed it in a video.
The jihadist leader took his own life almost a month ago, to escape his rivals from Iswap, who besieged him in his stronghold of Sambisa.
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From our correspondent in Lagos
,
Liza Fabbian
It is indeed "as a martyr" that Abubakar Shekau died confirms the message disseminated by the group Boko Haram.
In this video, we see Bakura Modu, said Sahaba - an important figure of the "Bakura faction" of Boko Haram, established on the shores of Lake Chad.
According to specialists, he is only a spokesperson.
And it is "
probable
" according to them that the leader of this group - Bakura Doro - is in fact the new leader of Boko Haram.
It remains to be seen whether these faithful of Shekau are ready to negotiate with Iswap.
In the message released on Wednesday June 16, the spokesperson for Boko Haram violently attacked the group's leader, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, whom he described as a "
perverse aggressor
".
Message in Arabic
However, the message was recorded in Arabic - which is unusual and suggests that it was addressed to the central Islamic State, whose legitimacy does not seem to be called into question - according to researcher Vincent Foucher.
He further notes that attacks against civilians have significantly decreased in Cameroon in recent weeks.
This change of method could follow the integration of some lieutenants of Shekau into the ranks of Iswap.
On the other hand, on the edges of Lake Chad, where the Bakura faction of Boko Haram continues to operate, raids against civilians have not stopped, notes the researcher.
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To read also:
The death of Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram, confirmed by a rival jihadist group
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