The Rise of Religious Radicalism in Africa

Introduction Africa is one of the most conflict torn places on the planet - many of these conflicts originated from religious divisions in the continent. Africa currently has eight out of the top ten failed states in the world. European colonialism coupled with Islamic migration has been the route of many of the conflicts. Geographic features are also contributing factors - many of the countries where major religious conflicts take place are landlocked with dispute over access resources. Religious terrorists carry out attacks on international and domestic targets within Africa in the name of faith, and often add fuel to already existing conflicts. Currently the three main religious terrorist organisations operating within Africa are Boko Harem, Al Shabaab and AQIM.

Al- Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)● Islamic militant organisation working to

overthrow the Algerian government through insurgent activities focused on kidnapping as fundraising

● Claimed responsibility for hostage crisis in Eastern Algeria on the border of Mali in retaliation to the French military presence in Mali (16th of January 2013)

Boko Harem ● Seeks to stop “Westernisation” and establish Nigeria as a pure Islamist state under Sharia law

● Originally founded in 2001 as an indigenous group, but was converted to a jihadist group in 2009

Christian Terrorism Christian terrorism is less well known or shown in the media when compared to the actions of Islamic radicals, Christian terrorism is prevalent within Africa, often in opposition to other parties in a religious conflict.

The lOrds REsistance Army (LRA) ● Operates in Northern Uganda and South Sudan, led by Joseph Kony ● Created as opposition the Ugandan People’s Defence Force ● Seeks to establish a theocratic Christian state based on the Ten

Commandments and African tradition ● Responsible for widespread atrocities, including recruiting child soldiers

Akhwat Akwop● Formed in Nigeria as opposition to the Islamic terrorist group Boko Harem ● Mainly non-violent opposition activities, but has the potential to escalate into

further violence ● Has threatened attack on the countries that fund Boko Harem, allegedly

Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran

Al SHABAAB ● Islamic militant arm of Al Qaeda known as

“the Youth” ● 2013 West Gate Mall Attacks ● Larger international particulation and

consultation. Ie. The White Widow (Samantha Lewthwaite)

● Trained in Iraq and Afghanistan - both foreigners and Somalis

Westgate Mall Attack - September 2013

● On the 21st of September, a group of Al-Shabaab gunmen entered the Westgate mall in central Niarobi (Kenya), leaving 72 civilians dead

● The attacks were in retaliation for Kenyan government troop involvement in the ongoing conflict in Somalia

US Military Aid to Africa

Total Military aid: 1.47 billion in 2011Total US troops deployed: ~862

US Response to Nairobi mall Attacks • Increase in drone strikes in and around the area of

somalia and ethiopia o US still does not formally admit to the use of drone in

the region

• Several raids by special forces have also been reported inside mogadishu as well as northern somalia

• The US and its allies in NATO have both sent additional specialists to assist the kenyan military

NATO IN AFRICAHelped establish AFRICOM which specializes in Anti Piracy and anti terrorist operations

NATO Warships maintain a presence in Somalia

African Union (AU) Established in 2001 Collections of 54 African States Formally engaged in Mogadishu in 2006 has been working to secure areas around somalia

The AU has also worked in Congo and Rwanda to combat tribal radicals

International conflicts French Mali intervention

● French foreign legion fighting AQIM in Mali after violence broke out in early 2013 against the government

● AQIM along with Mali Nationalist group ● UN forces expected to take over the operation

Post CIVIL WaR VIolence in Libya ● Overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi by joint Egyptian militia

and NATO ● Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood ● Attacks on the US embassy in Benghazi, killing the US

ambassador (September 2012)

Questions 1. Do you think that the international community should be more involved militarily in religious

conflicts where human rights abuses are taking place?

2. During the Somali incident the US suffered one of its most significant failures as a military. Do

you think it is worth the sacrifice for what many call an “irrelevant” region?

3. Do you think groups like Boko Haram are right in their efforts to stop the spread of

‘Westernisation?’ and prevent the loss of their culture?

4. The September 11, 2001 attacks demonstrated that religious groups pose a major threat to the

international community, particularly Western countries. Should fear of retaliation stop of us

from intervening in their conflicts, or do you think their power is limited internationally?

5. Are we the actual problem?