Then there is a chapter on al qaeda including their aims and goals and their influence in northern africa and their spreading influence to. Taken together, they are the root causes for african terrorism. Terrorism thrives in poor countries because security is weak and the people are marginalized. The ideological foundation of the movement was laid out by a series of prisonwritings of the egyptian islamist. Even global norms such as the right to selfdetermination have given rise to terrorism. Some of the history of these countries, however, is naturally mentioned in this history of the rest of africa but is kept to the minimum needed to make the rest comprehensible. Definitions of terrorism are complex and controversial. Together with a brief overview of the history of terrorism, this module will also consider the. African union au sees terrorism as any act which is a violation of the criminal laws of a state party and which may endanger the life, physical integrity or freedom of, or cause serious injury or death to, any person, any member or group of persons. The search for a single or even a few causes is misguided. Policy john rollins, coordinator specialist in terrorism and national security january 25, 2011 congressional research service 75700.
The factors influencing contemporary terrorism are a blend of historical. For over a decade, the united states has considered the horn of africa kenya, ethiopia, djibouti, somalia, eritrea, and sudana major source of terrorism. Its use has repeatedly shifted in some significant respects. Causes and consequences of terrorism in africa oxford handbooks. Historical perspective, global presence, and implications for u. Terrorist united nations office on drugs and crime. This is a short history of africa excluding egypt, ethiopia and dutch and british south africa, which are the subjects of separate histories. Pdf terrorism in west africa boko harams evolution. United nations designated terrorist groups and targeted sanctions.
Deals with the aftermath of terrorism or counter terrorism operation intended to build confidence and trust in ct agencies strengthens the role of the state and its responsibility to protect. Before engaging in deep analysis of terrorism in africa, the concept of terror. In each issue of origins, an academic expert will analyze a particular current issue political, cultural, or social in a larger, deeper context. Djibouti, somalia, eritrea, and sudana major source of terrorism. Oct 22, 2007 the history of terrorism is probably coextensive with the history of political violence. The factors influencing contemporary terrorism are a blend of historical, economic, political, cultural, motivational, and technological factors, to name only the most obvious.
This decision was driven in the main by the realisation that. It obtained its modern form terrorism during the reign of terror in france from 17931794. Consequently, africa s sahel belt comprising of mauritania, mali, niger, nigeria, chad, central africa republic, sudan, and eritrea which is referred to as the arc of instability because of the scourge of armed conflicts has remained notorious for illicit movement of persons, violent extremism and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. In some cases, terrorism has indeed been successful in achieving political ends. Terrorist organisations differ widely in their goals, strategies and tactics. Terrorism in the horn of africa the web site cannot be found. Author of a history of the united states, mystics and messiahs. The term terrorism originates from latin word terrere that means to frighten. To see how and why these influences can spread so easily, its important to look back at events in history. A significant part of the problem appears attributable to a history of people being.
Southeast asia has been a base for terrorist operations. Virtually surrounded by muslims, ethiopia historically experienced several islamic. The recent terror attack by al shabaab in the port city of barawe in southern somalia, a suicide bomb attack by boko haram in maiduguri in nigeria, and an attack on a military post in mali by an al qaedalinked terror group have brought the focus back on terrorism in the african continent. It is common for opponents in a violent conflict to describe the other side as terrorists or as. Dec 10, 20 these three terrorist groups in africa all have poverty in common as the source of their existence and growth. From such a perspective, the pilots of the four hijacked aircraft were not typical hijackers carrying out a common terrorist tactic. Unprecedented terrorist violence in west africa, sahel. Congressional research service report for congress mark manyin coordinator richard cronin, larry niksch, bruce vaughn foreign affairs, defense, and trade division congressional research service, the library of congress updated november 18, 2003 contents summary most recent developments overview background the rise of islamic militancy and terrorism in southeast asia the rise of al qaeda in. He is also a research associate with the south african institute of international affairs. In addition to these individual costs, terrorism can destabilize governments, undermine civil society, jeopardize peace. In addition to the analysis provided by each months feature, origins will also include images, maps, graphs and other material to complement the essay. Overview 50 major attacks between 2000 and 2009 300 attacks between 2010 and. The history of terrorism is a history of wellknown and historically significant individuals, entities, and incidents associated, whether rightly or wrongly, with terrorism. Congressional research service report for congress mark manyin coordinator richard cronin, larry niksch, bruce vaughn foreign affairs, defense, and trade division congressional research service, the library of congress updated november 18, 2003 contents summary most recent developments overview background the rise of islamic militancy and terrorism in southeast asia the rise of al.
War and diplomacy in west africa warfare and diplomacy. Terrorism in africa the decision by the pentagon to create a separate africa command is the clearest indication that the us military and other branches of the us government view subsaharan africa as a growing islamic terrorist threat. Rise of terrorism in africa manohar parrikar institute. Islam is the dominant religion in north africa and the horn of africa, and it is also the predominant and historical religion of the west african interior and the far west coast of the continent as well as the coast of east africa. A 21st century appraisal this article focuses on the history of terrorism in west africa in the. Terrorism is not a new phenomenon in human experience. African countries have experienced relatively high levels of terrorism.
As a consequence, the african union 55 member states, and its predecessor the organization of african unity oau, have been actively engaged in continental efforts to. In fact, since 1999 most terrorist attacks have been perpetrated by selfproclaimed christians. Some experts look at the power vacuums in states such as somalia and see them ripe for terrorist influence. Resources selected literature on terrorism and political. Terrorism in southeast asia congressional research service summary since september 2001, the united states has increased focus on radical islamist and terrorist groups in southeast asia, particularly those in the philippines, indonesia, malaysia, thailand, and singapore. From south asia to south america, terrorist groups are on the rise.
Some of the history of these countries, however, is naturally mentioned in this history of the rest of africa but is kept to. In north africa alqaida in the maghreb aqim is operating in splinter groups, linking it to the two groups battling international forces in northern mali, while alshabab continue to pose one of the most complex security dilemma for the east african. Following the 911 attacks against the united states, the horn has come under increased scrutiny as a strategic focal point in the war against terrorism. An empirical analysis of terrorism in the middle east and. Provide a practical tool for practitioners dealing with terrorism. Definition, history, and types of terrorism online degree.
Oct 22, 2020 the number of fatalities from terrorist attacks in the u. Terrorism, the calculated use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. The spectre of terrorism and nigerian development by imhonopi. War and diplomacy in west africa warfare and diplomacy in. Ruchita beri is senior research associate at the manohar parrikar institute for defence studies and analysis, new delhi. On march 1, 1881, members of the russian revolutionary. Ribah, was also of northeast african habasha descent. Raise awareness of the impact of terrorism and counter terrorism on the enjoyment of all human rights. Causes and consequences of terrorism in africa start. Terrorist violence also occurred in the overthrow of apartheid in south africa. Terrorism in the horn of africa united states institute of peace. The preconditions for terrorism to exist are explored in this worko begin with, t first this thesis defines terrorism and explores why people turn to terrorism. The logic of causefollowedbyeffect is inappropriate to the understanding of origins and contexts of terrorism.
South africa clearly has many links to international terrorism, but the extent of domestic radicalisation and violent extremism in the country is less clear and must be carefully monitored. Terrorism clearly has a very real and direct impact on human rights, with devastating consequences for the enjoyment of the right to life, liberty and physical integrity of victims. Violence has been used throughout human history by those who chose to oppose states, kings, and princes. Scholars agree that terrorism is a disputed term, and very few of those labeled terrorists describe themselves as such. This has led to a lack of theoretical analysis on the causes of terrorism crenshaw, 1981, p. Terrorism is also possibly motivated largely by existential otherworldly goals. While terrorism is a global phenomenon, africa seems to bear the greatest brunt of it, largely due to limited military resources and ongoing economic deprivation, which has lured many young people. Effects of terrorism in africa page 3 of 4 face2face africa. The most prominent terrorist groups that are creating a terror impact in africa. In north africa alqaida in the maghreb aqim is operating in splinter groups, linking it to the two groups battling international forces in northern mali, while alshabab continue to pose one of the most complex security dilemma for the east african peninsula. Security crackdowns have blunted its capacity to stage regular assaults, but complacency could roll back those gains, as could failure to engage with communities in which the group recruits.
Africa has seen an uptick as of late in terrorist funding and activity. This book offers authoritative insight into the struggle against terrorism in the horn what has been done and what work remains. Terrorism accompanied the struggles to achieve independence from colonial rule in for algeria, kenya, and israel. Terrorism has been linked to the theory of deprivation, but the extent to which terrorism is an economic good can be explained using a rational choice model of economic agents. African union au sees terrorism as any act which is a violation of the criminal laws of a state party.
Growth and fiscal consequences of terrorism in nigeria. Oau convention on the prevention and combating of terrorism adopted on 1 july 1999, entered into force 6 december 2002 african union protocol to the oau convention on the prevention and combating. Government responses to reports of training camps and terrorist financing have provided little clarity. The history of the boko haram insurgency dates back to 2002, when it was. The september 11 attacks therefore had more in common with americas arsenal of precisionguided munitions than with the history of aviation terrorism. This chapter examines the causes and consequences of terrorism in africa, and considers the extent to which existing evidence rationalizes the various explanations for it, and its implications for counterterrorism policy in africa. Terrorism in historical perspective digital history. Then there is a chapter on al qaeda including their aims and goals and their influence in northern africa and their spreading influence to the subsaharan region. Mar 08, 2019 terrorism hasnt always been associated with individuals in the past, it has described violence used by the state against its subjects. Furthermore, from a methodological point of view, by conceptualizing the problem in a.
Salafi jihadism or jihadistsalafism is a major branch of salafism, and a transnational religiouspolitical ideology based on a belief in physical as opposed to spiritual jihadism, and on the salafist concept of returning to what adherents believe to be true sunni islam. Chapter 1country reports on terrorism africa east asia and the pacific europe the middle east and north africa south and central asia western hemisphere chapter 2state sponsors of terrorism chapter 3the global challenge of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear terrorism chapter 4 terrorist safe havens update to 7120 report. With the emergence of the african continent as a growing pawn for islamic extremism and radicalism, the linkages of these groups cannot be underestimated in the study of modern terrorism. One of the most dangerous regions is the greater horn of africa along with yemen, its volatile neighbor. Effects of terrorism in africa page 3 of 4 face2face.
Rise of terrorism in africa manohar parrikar institute for. Africa may become the new hub of terrorism as many countries there grapple with poverty. The african continent has had to wrestle with many different forms of terrorism and terrorist actors, including al qaida, al shabaab, boko haram and the lords resistance army. Globalisation and the spread of terrorism in northern and. Terrorism as a manifestation of conflict could be a historically persistent phenomena with roots in the past. Secondly, because nigeria has a long and dynamic history of terrorism that dates back to independence although we do not go that far into the past, it allows us to study the e ects of terrorism on the economy over the longrun and shortrun horizons. Oau convention for the elimination of mercenarism in africa adopted 3 july 1977, entered into force 22 april 1985. Together with a brief overview of the history of terrorism, this module will also consider the evolution of terrorism in the twentieth century.
Terrorism and the olympics in light of the resources and attention devoted to the possibility of a terrorist attack at the upcoming summer olympic games in london, england, start has compiled a background report on the history of terrorism and the olympics since 1970. An empirical analysis of terrorism in the middle east and africa 5 terrorism has been mostly approached from a historical perspective. Five years after an attack on nairobis westgate mall, alshabaab appears committed to striking targets across east africa. The spectre of terrorism and nigerian development by. Tourism, a major economic pillar for most african countries, has been negatively affected by terrorism in the wake of deadly, highprofile attacks that seem to target foreign visitors. The spectre of terrorism and nigerias industrial development. War and diplomacy in west africa warfare and diplomacy in precolonial west africa. Salafi jihadism or jihadistsalafism is a transnational, hybrid religiouspolitical ideology based on the islamist call for a global caliphate, advocacy for physical jihadism and the salafi concept of returning to what adherents believe to be true islam.
315 1750 1704 1488 1505 974 1701 620 210 238 1528 897 738 1536 1392 1187 468 415 447 103 1595 1259 1483 1614 865 95 1488