Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa ─ Fighting Insurgency from Al Shabab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram

The terrorist threat is growing in Africa, with the likes of Al Shabaab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram exploiting Africa's vulnerabilities – whether ungoverned spaces or corrupt officials – to expand their operations. At the same time, traditional responses to terrorism, with their primarily military focus and privileging of the state, seem incapable of stopping this menace. This is evident in the fact that there are currently three terrorist attacks per day on the continent. To compound matters further, while these various terrorist organizations are co-operating, little co-ordination is taking place among the various African states despite the existence of the African Union and its counter-terrorist regime. Despite their efforts, external players like the United States' African Command have in many ways exacerbated the problem on account of their insufficient knowledge of the local context which is driving these insurgencies. This study calls for a more holistic approach, with greater emphasis on development and improved governance. Explaining both the limitations of current counter-terrorist strategies and how these strategies might be improved going forward, this timely study will be essential reading for scholars and practitioners alike.

Hussein Solomon is Senior Professor in the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State, South Africa, and a Senior Research Associate of the Israeli-based Research for the Study of Islam and Muslims in Africa (RIMA). He is also a Senior Analyst for the American-based think tank WikiStrat.