BOTH government forces and Boko Haram insurgents are under pressure to observe ceasefire throughout the Muslim holy months of Ramadan, investigations by Saturday Tribune has revealed.

Findings revealed that scholars worldwide from the Gulf Arab nations to North Africa have issued religious decrees urging Muslims to eschew violence in the holy month of Ramadan.

The calls for cease fire was said to have divided Islamic insurgents currently ruling Northern Mali as well as the Al-Sabab Islamists currently battling international forces in trouble Somali Republic.

Saturday Tribune was told that the issue of ceasefire is also generating heated debate among Islamic Boko Haram activists in Northern Nigeria with issues reportedly being raised as to correctness or otherwise of such decision.

Islamist sources reviewed to the Saturday Tribune that the division of opinion arose from two main angles, namely whether government forces will stop their operations during the month and whether religious war can be conducted during the Ramadan.

It would be recalled that the Boko Haram sect had earlier denied entering into agreement with the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sabo Dasuki (rtd), for the cease fire during the holy month.

Fresh reports, however, showed that leading Islamic scholars in the northern region have joined the clamour for cease fire during the month, a call reportedly being directed at both the government and Islamic forces.

While Boko Haram is said to be hesitant about heeding to such plea from Islamic scholars, government security establishments are also said to be sharply divided on the issue.

A section of the security establishments is said to be opposed to the idea on the ground that it would allow the sect to regroup and plan fresh attacks after the end of the fasting.

Forging ahead with the ongoing attack in several flash points, a section of security establishments reportedly believed, would keep the sect under pressure and reduce its capacity to plan further attacks.

Saturday Tribune was also told that another section is said to have supported the idea of the cease fire as a prelude to launching the much talked about negotiation and dialogue with the sect.

This group was said to have argued that a cease fire during the month of Ramadan will allow the joint task forces to mend fence with the civilian population and thereby speed-up a negotiated solution to the conflict.

As the Ramadan kicks off, Saturday Tribune learnt that no resolution has been reached on the issue even as the office of the NSA is reported to have intensified contacts with a wide range of stakeholders, including emirs, established Islamic scholars and moderate salafis across the country.

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written by francis cole, July 21, 2012

So they are telling Bako harams to cease fire because of Ramadan. So after the Ramadan, they can start their fire again, and start killing people. Me I dont under stand this one oooooo.

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