ISIS Announces Abu Musab Al-Barnawi As New Boko Haram Leader To Replace Shekau

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ISIS Announces Abu Musab Al-Barnawi As New Boko Haram Leader To Replace Shekau

The so-called Islamic State (IS) jihadist group has announced a new leader for its West African branch, popularly known as Boko Haram.

The latest issue of an IS magazine featured what it called its first interview with Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who replaces the eccentric Abubakar Shekau.

In a video clip released in January 2015, Mr al-Barnawi described himself as the spokesman for Boko Haram. This was before the Nigeria-based jihadist group pledged allegiance to IS.

Now IS says he has replaced Mr Shekau, who has not made a verified appearance in any video since August 2015.