Audio: Boko Haram Pledges Allegiance to ISIS

Boko Haram has once again pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) on their Twitter account. They posted an unverified audio statement, but officials believe it is the voice of the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau:

From your brother in Allah, Abu Mohamed Abu Bakr bin Mohammed Shekau, the Imam of Jamaátu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda Awaati Wal Jihad to the Caliph of Muslims Abubakar Abu Bakr Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi.

We are sending you this message, following what Allah said in his Quran (And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves) and what the Prophet, Peace be upon him said (Whoever died and he had not Imam, died by death of ignorance).

In submission to the order of Allah “Azza wa Jal”, and submission to the order of the prophet, peace be upon him to not separate from each other and to stay united as Ummah as Jammaaáh, We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims Ibrahim ibn Awad ibn Ibrahim al-Husseini al-Qurashi and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity.

The speaker refers to the Caliph, the leader of Islam, as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Islamic State accepted pledges from other jihadist groups in the Middle East and North Africa.

Boko Haram released the audio after officials pinned at least five suicide attacks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. Over 50 people died and 139 injured. The Nigerian government postponed the February 14 presidential elections to March 28 after suffering from suicide bomber, terrorist attacks.

While Boko Haram declares its admiration for the Islamic State, there is no evidence that the approval is mutual. A U.S. official claimed the Islamic State would not accept Boko Haram because Arab Muslims see African Muslims as lesser beings.

“The Arab world is incredibly racist,” the officer explained. “They don’t see black Africans as equivalent to them.”

He also asserted there is no evidence the two groups will merge soon.

“There are still questions of the ISIS view of Boko Haram and Nigeria,” the official stated. “But Boko Haram does not operate in sync with ISIS. The Caliphates are separate.”