Reassessing terrorism and counter-terrorism in Africa: a critical terrorism study

[摘要] English: Terrorism is one of the fastest expanding fields of study today. Since the 9/11 attacks in New York, terrorism has received an increasing amount of attention from researchers, the media and the international community. Yet, terrorism in Africa is not at all a new phenomenon, neither are the ways to combat this terrorism threat. However, no sustainable way to ameliorate the threat in Africa has been found. This might indicate a need for revisiting the current approaches to terrorism and counter-terrorism. This study aims to do just that by using Critical Terrorism Study (CTS) as a theoretical anchor. The study incorporates a sceptical approach to traditional ways of doing terrorism research and challenges orthodox ways of approaches counter-terrorism. The research is conducted by looking at three of the most prominent terrorist organisations in Africa; Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. CTS does however not reject current and traditional ways of research, but incorporates different fields of study which were traditionally seen as inapplicable to the study of terrorism. In order to try and ameliorate the terrorism threat in Africa, new approaches are necessary, and to form these new approaches, new knowledge creation must take place. By broadening the scope of the study of terrorism, it becomes clear that although the terrorist groups in this study have several characteristics in common, they also have deep-rooted and resounding differences. By uncovering these differences, be it the reaction to colonialism in Algeria, or the inherent belief of marginalisation by a certain group in Nigeria, or clan-loyalties in Somalia, it is evident that these groups cannot be grouped under the umbrella category of 'terrorism in Africa'. In this study, the historical, political, religious and even economic backgrounds of the groups mentioned �?or the areas in which they manifest themselves�?are examined. Upon closer examination of different fields of study either regarding the certain region in which the group is active, or the underlying beliefs of individuals within the group, connections can be found that serve either as motivation or justification of the terrorist group's actions. This variety of information is not intended to overwhelm or intimidate the leader, but should serve as a framework from which a certain terrorist organisation can be analysed. This analysis can further determine whether it is necessary to revisit the current and traditional ways of approaching terrorism and counter-terrorism. These approaches are not limited only to research and examination of these groups, but also pertains to international interventions and assistance within the geographical areas of interest. Since international actions taken to confront these groups have over the time already developed significantly �?still without any sustainable amelioration of the effects of terrorism �?international knowledge creation should also be challenged. Clearly something is missing. CTS does not intend to emerge as the sudden 'cure-all' for the terrorism threat in Africa, but will serve as a step in a new direction of terrorism study. By broadening and simultaneously deepening the research done of these groups and the contexts in which they manifest themselves, this study hopes to open the door to the possibility of sustainable amelioration of the terrorism threat in Africa.

[发布机构] University of the Free State