Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Shabaab, the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), Mokhtar Belmokhtar's factions, and other militant groups outside Nigeria. In 2014, Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan even went so far as calling Boko Harām "al-Qaeda in West Africa". By 2012, attacks by Nigerian Islamist militias on targets beyond Nigeria's borders were still limited, and should not be confused with the activities of other groups (for example, the responsibility of AQIM for most attacks in Niger). Despite this, there were concerns that conflict could spread to Nigeria's neighbours, especially Cameroon, where it existed at a relatively low level until 2014, subsequently escalating considerably. It should also be noted there are combatants from neighboring Chad and Niger. In 2015, Boko Haram swore allegiance to ISIL. On 17 May 2014, the presidents of Benin, Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger met for a summit in Paris and agreed to combat Boko Harām on a coordinated basis, sharing in particular surveillance and intelligence gathering. Goodluck Jonathan and Chadian counterpart, Idriss Deby have both declared total war on Boko Harām. Western nations, including Britain, France, Israel, and the United States had also pledged support including technical expertise and training. The New York Times reported in March 2015 that hundreds of private military contractors from South Africa and other countries are playing a decisive role in Nigeria's military campaign, operating attack helicopters and armored personnel carriers and assisting in the planning of operations. See also Al-Shabaab (militant group) Boko Haram Islamic State – West Africa Province Timeline of the Boko Haram insurgency Religious violence in Nigeria Christianity and Islam Christianity in Africa Islam in Africa Christianity in Nigeria Islam in Nigeria Islamic extremism in Northern Nigeria List of massacres in Nigeria Central African Republic Civil War Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present) Islamist insurgency in the Sahel Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Northern Mali conflict Sinai insurgency Somali Civil War List of conflicts in Africa List of designated terrorist groups List of Islamist terrorist attacks List of modern conflicts in the Middle East List of ongoing armed conflicts Islam and violence Islamic fundamentalism Islamism Islamic terrorism Religious terrorism Religious violence Notes References Works cited , Democratization and Islamic Law: The Sharia Conflict in Nigeria (Frankfurt am Main 2008). Campus Verlag. Further reading Comolli, Virginia. Boko Haram: Nigeria's Islamist Insurgency (Hurst, 2018) online review External links Boko Haram Fighting for their Last Territorial Stronghold, 23