Only when the Chibok girls abducted by Boko Haram militants six month ago actually emerge from confinement can the world believe that the deal reportedly negotiated with the Nigerian government is working.
This is the view of Professor Richard Joseph, the John Evans Professor of International History and Politics at Northwestern University in the United States. In a column written for CNN, Professor Joseph - also an AllAfrica columnist - writes:
"The problem with establishing what is really going on in Nigeria, and with Boko Haram specifically, is that after five years of warfare and many casualties, there is much that is still uncertain about the group.
"Indeed, it appears to be both an actual organization and a brand name for banditry."
He said while news of a deal for the release of the girls, and for further talks to take place, was welcome, "this is a case when we will actually need to see the girls emerging from their six-month confinement before we can truly believe."
He added: "[I]t is difficult to know for sure what is going on in Nigeria, a place where a significant part of business is conducted by a shadowy combination of political, military, and business individuals.
"And this is creating even bigger problems for Nigeria than the national and global demands for the girls' rescue."
