Alongside the Islamist struggle to reshape society in
the Sahel through violent means is a second, relatively
unnoticed but equally deadly conflict with the dangerous
potential of merging with jihadi eforts. At a time when
resources such as land and water are diminishing in the
Sahel, semi-nomadic Muslim herders of the widespread
Fulani ethnic group are increasingly turning to violence
against settled Christian communities to preserve their
herds and their way of life. Claims of “genocide” and “forced
Islamization” have become common in the region. What is
primarily an economic struggle has already taken on an
ethnic and religious character in Mali. If Nigeria follows
the same path, it is possible that a new civil war could
erupt with devastating consequences for all of West Africa.