The radical Islamist group Boko Haram has contributed to widespread and deadly violence in Nigeria, but the government sercurity services are also at fault, write CFR's John Campbell and Asch Harwood.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR’s John Campbell and Asch Harwood note the potential dangers of elections in weak and divided African countries, but they urge continued U.S. support for elections because Africans themselves embrace them.

John Campbell and Asch Harwood discuss the challenges facing Nigeria's newly elected president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Asch Harwood writes, "while social media and mobile phones may not be the panacea for Nigeria's past election woes, they are powerful tools to encourage civic engagement, improve transparency, and document and disseminate irregularities."

John Campbell and Asch Harwood ask, "Can the new government in Abuja overcome Nigeria's many challenges?"

Asch Harwood asks, "How can civil society campaigns in Nigeria harness new tools for voter mobilization while also promoting peaceful elections?"

Asch Harwood and John Campbell write that in Nigeria, cell phones can both be used to instigate--and anticipate--violence.

John Campbell and Asch Harwood state, "The conventional wisdom that sub-Saharan Africa has moved beyond military coups may be wishful thinking."