Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa: Fighting Insurgency from Al Shabaab,

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Traditional counter-terrorism approaches, with their emphasis on the military, are failing. This is seen in the fact that there is an average of three terrorist attacks per day in Africa. This study calls for more holistic solutions, with an emphasis on development and better governance to curb the scourge of terrorism.

FORMATHardcover LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Traditional counter-terrorism approaches, with their emphasis on the military, are failing. This is seen in the fact that there is an average of three terrorist attacks per day in Africa. This study calls for more holistic solutions, with an emphasis on development and better governance to curb the scourge of terrorism.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

1. Chapter One: Understanding the Terrorist Threat in Africa and the Limitations of the Current Counterterrorist Paradigm 2. Islam in Africa 3. Al Shabaab in Somalia: Between Clan and Faith 4. Ansar Dine in Mali: Between Tuareg Nationalism and Islamism 5. Nigeria's Boko Haram: Contesting Ethnic, Religious and Regional Identities 6. Responding to Terror: An Assessment of African Union Counterterrorism Strategies 7. Responding to Terror: An Assessment of US Counterterrorism Strategies in Africa 8. Conclusion

Review

"Solomon sets outs to examine the causes of Islamist terrorism and the failures of counter-terrorism policy in Africa – focusing specifically on Al Shabaab in Somalia, Ansar Dine in Malia, and Boko Haram in Nigeria. … The book distinguishes itself from the critical terrorism literature by offering extensive policy prescription throughout the book. … the book's valuable contribution is to map out how ethnicity and state–society relations shape the efficacy and limitations of military measures in Africa." (African Affairs, Vol. 117 (466), January, 2018)"This timely, brief, but pricey comparative study of three contemporary cases investigates the roots of Islamist terrorism in Africa; its irruptions in Somalia, Mali and Nigeria; and the counterterrorism strategies of the African Union (AU) and the US. … Recommended for university libraries; collections supporting programs in international relations, security studies, Africa, and Islam; and larger public library systems. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (J. P. Smaldone, Choice, Vol. 53 (7), March, 2016)"Solomon accomplishes what he set out to do by laying out a useful theoretical framework for exploring the evolving nature of domestic terrorism and the challenges it poses to African governments and by providing critical assessments of AU and American counter-terrorism approaches along with concrete proposals for improving their effectiveness." (Stephen A. Emerson, E-International Relations, e-ir.info, February, 2016)

Promotional

'There are few scholars in the social sciences with the capacity to bring together complex theory and everyday observation in such fluent, readable and penetrating analyses of some of our most pressing global challenges. In this regard Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa is not only the best exemplar of solid and accessible scholarship on a troubling subject, but a critical contribution to helping national governments out of the conceptual and political quicksand of dealing with the elusive threats of a new brand of terror on African soil.' Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, South Africa "This volume expertly tackles the hereto complex, under-researched, over-theorized, policy-neglected, and misunderstood fields and relationships between Africa, Islam, Insurgency, Terror and Counter-Terrorism. Yet again, in throwing out the obsolete rulebook, Hussein Solomon is pioneering a roadmap that will transform your knowledge, awareness and thinking, and ignite change" - Dr Glen Segell, Director of Studies (EF), University of Cambridge, UK "Hussein Solomon insightfully moves beyond epistemological questions of terrorism to examine the actual roots and manifestations of African terrorism and its implications for the future of continental, as well as global security. In doing so, he skilfully explores the interface between traditional counterterrorism approaches and critical terrorism studies to create a blended, more holistic counterterrorism roadmap for Africa." - Dr Stephen Emerson, former U.S. government political-military analyst and Security Studies Chair at National Defense University's Africa Center for Strategic Studies "Hussein Solomon paints a nuanced, sophisticated portrait of the origins and motives of African terrorists that blends poverty, desertification, ethnic discrimination and African state corruption and neglect with 'historical amnesia' and cultural ignorance by western leaders. Dr Solomon's rich text provides much to learn and implement by UN and AU policymakers as well as by African state leaders struggling to counter terrorism and regain the public trust." - Dr Robert Zuber, Global Action to Prevent War and Armed Conflict "Hussein Solomon, one of the most prolific political scientists in South Africa, succeeded in combining three key deliberations in his book Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Africa: an inside knowledge of the Islamic and Muslim world, an in-depth understanding of the African security domain, and an outstanding conceptualisation of (counter-)terrorism. The publication is broad in scope and thorough in analysis. The book not only provides an outstanding outline of both the terrorist threat and role of Islam in Africa; it also offers an in-depth analysis of how these two considerations merge in Africa in organisations like Al Shabaab and Boko Haram in Somalia and Nigeria respectively. Lastly, the African Union and the United States are most probably the only actors that endeavour to develop counterterrorist strategies at a continental level in Africa. The book offers an excellent analysis of the response to counterterrorism by both these two authorities. In all, a must-read for anybody with an interest in the study of terrorism in general and the manifestation of the phenomenon in Africa and the Islamic communities in particular." - Abel Esterhuyse, Stellenbosch University, South Africa "Hussein Solomon has provided an excellent detailed, original, holistic and useful study of the counter-terrorism strategies employed in Africa today and the reasons for its failure to defeat terrorism throughout the continent. Professor Solomon has also provided a very innovative and comprehensive study of the three main radical Islamic terrorist organizations active in Africa today: al-Shabaab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. This book is essential to the understanding of the various motives for the growth of radical Islamic terrorist organizations throughout Africa as well as to the need to apply a new holistic counter-terrorism approach to defeat these organizations. This book is a must read for decision makers and security personnel in Africa and abroad as well as for any serious student of terrorism, security studies and African studies." - Dr Moshe Terdiman, Director, Research on Islam and Muslims in Africa "Hussein Solomon warns that Islamist-inspired insurgencies and terrorism pose an existential threat to several weak states in Africa. To stop the 'Islamist juggernaut', Solomon advocates a continental counter-terrorism strategy combining force of arms with the force of ideas. Policy-makers and analysts in Africa and beyond should heed this forthright and fearless study by one of South Africa's foremost experts on terrorism." - Professor Deon Geldenhuys, Department of Political Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Long Description

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.

Review Quote

"This timely, brief, but pricey comparative study of three contemporary cases investigates the roots of Islamist terrorism in Africa; its irruptions in Somalia, Mali and Nigeria; and the counterterrorism strategies of the African Union (AU) and the US. ... Recommended for university libraries; collections supporting programs in international relations, security studies, Africa, and Islam; and larger public library systems. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (J. P. Smaldone, Choice, Vol. 53 (7), March, 2016) "Solomon accomplishes what he set out to do by laying out a useful theoretical framework for exploring the evolving nature of domestic terrorism and the challenges it poses to African governments and by providing critical assessments of AU and American counter-terrorism approaches along with concrete proposals for improving their effectiveness." (Stephen A. Emerson, E-International Relations, e-ir.info, February, 2016) ''There are few scholars in the social sciences with the capacity to bring together complex theory and everyday observation in such fluent, readable and penetrating analyses of some of our most pressing global challenges. In this regard Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa is not only the best exemplar of solid and accessible scholarship on a troubling subject, but a critical contribution to helping national governments out of the conceptual and political quicksand of dealing with the elusive threats of a new brand of terror on African soil.'' Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State, South Africa ''''This volume expertly tackles the hereto complex, under-researched, over-theorized, policy-neglected, and misunderstood fields and relationships between Africa, Islam, Insurgency, Terror and Counter-Terrorism. Yet again, in throwing out the obsolete rulebook, Hussein Solomon is pioneering a roadmap that will transform your knowledge, awareness and thinking, and ignite change'''' - Dr Glen Segell, Director of Studies (EF), University of Cambridge, UK "Hussein Solomon insightfully moves beyond epistemological questions of terrorism to examine the actual roots and manifestations of African terrorism and its implications for the future of continental, as well as global security. In doing so, he skilfully explores the interface between traditional counterterrorism approaches and critical terrorism studies to create a blended, more holistic counterterrorism roadmap for Africa." - Dr Stephen Emerson, former U.S. government political-military analyst and Security Studies Chair at National Defense University''s Africa Center for Strategic Studies ''''Hussein Solomon paints a nuanced, sophisticated portrait of the origins and motives of African terrorists that blends poverty, desertification, ethnic discrimination and African state corruption and neglect with ''historical amnesia'' and cultural ignorance by western leaders. Dr Solomon''s rich text provides much to learn and implement by UN and AU policymakers as well as by African state leaders struggling to counter terrorism and regain the public trust.'''' - Dr Robert Zuber, Global Action to Prevent War and Armed Conflict ''''Hussein Solomon, one of the most prolific political scientists in South Africa, succeeded in combining three key deliberations in his book Terrorism and Counterterrorism in Africa: an inside knowledge of the Islamic and Muslim world, an in-depth understanding of the African security domain, and an outstanding conceptualisation of (counter-)terrorism. The publication is broad in scope and thorough in analysis. The book not only provides an outstanding outline of both the terrorist threat and role of Islam in Africa; it also offers an in-depth analysis of how these two considerations merge in Africa in organisations like Al Shabaab and Boko Haram in Somalia and Nigeria respectively. Lastly, the African Union and the United States are most probably the only actors that endeavour to develop counterterrorist strategies at a continental level in Africa. The book offers an excellent analysis of the response to counterterrorism by both these two authorities. In all, a must-read for anybody with an interest in the study of terrorism in general and the manifestation of the phenomenon in Africa and the Islamic communities in particular.'''' - Abel Esterhuyse, Stellenbosch University, South Africa ''''Hussein Solomon has provided an excellent detailed, original, holistic and useful study of the counter-terrorism strategies employed in Africa today and the reasons for its failure to defeat terrorism throughout the continent. Professor Solomon has also provided a very innovative and comprehensive study of the three main radical Islamic terrorist organizations active in Africa today: al-Shabaab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. This book is essential to the understanding of the various motives for the growth of radical Islamic terrorist organizations throughout Africa as well as to the need to apply a new holistic counter-terrorism approach to defeat these organizations. This book is a must read for decision makers and security personnel in Africa and abroad as well as for any serious student of terrorism, security studies and African studies.'''' - Dr Moshe Terdiman, Director, Research on Islam and Muslims in Africa ''''Hussein Solomon warns that Islamist-inspired insurgencies and terrorism pose an existential threat to several weak states in Africa. To stop the ''Islamist juggernaut'', Solomon advocates a continental counter-terrorism strategy combining force of arms with the force of ideas. Policy-makers and analysts in Africa and beyond should heed this forthright and fearless study by one of South Africa''s foremost experts on terrorism.'''' - Professor Deon Geldenhuys, Department of Political Studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Details ISBN113748988X Publisher Palgrave Macmillan Series New Security Challenges Year 2015 ISBN-10 113748988X ISBN-13 9781137489883 Format Hardcover Short Title TERRORISM & COUNTER-TERRORISM Language English Media Book Publication Date 2015-05-08 Edition Description 2015 Imprint Palgrave Macmillan Place of Publication Basingstoke Country of Publication United Kingdom Pages 192 Author H. Solomon Subtitle Fighting Insurgency from Al Shabaab, Ansar Dine and Boko Haram AU Release Date 2015-05-08 NZ Release Date 2015-05-08 UK Release Date 2015-05-08 Illustrations X, 192 p. Alternative 9781349504305 DEWEY 363.325096 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this

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