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African Renaissance Volume 12, Number 1, 2015

About This Edition

ISSN : 1744-2532 (Print) 2516-5305 (Online)

Table of Contents :

Interrogating the Concept and Practice of Terrorism within a Changing Global and Historical Context
Lucky E. Asuelime and Ojochenemi J. David7

The article presents an analysis on the construct of terrorism as a phenomenon with many contestations, explanations and understanding in variety. Pertinent among these is the relative interpretations of socio-economic relevance as a driver for terror activities. Since the advent of terrorism, the term’s use shifted from the regime de la terreurs during the French revolution, to anarchist and socio-revolutionary bombers in the 19th century, to the Red terror, to anti-colonial struggle, then to the Palestinian struggles in the 1960, and finally the religious fundamentalism since the 1990s to date. These episodes and differential motives for terror activities also beckon the question around its justification. Also, the evolution of term has brought about problems in understanding its causality and conceptualization and by implication in articulating an approach to finding a panacea for wherever and whenever it is witnessed. This article argues that the prism to which terrorism can be understood is highly subjective and open to different interpretations for different times and era.

What makes Terrorism so Special in Africa?
Bheki R Mngomezulu27

This article looks at what makes terrorism special in Africa, especially given that it is a global phenomenon which transcends geographical boundaries. Specifically, the objective is to look at how Africa is affected differently by terrorist activities citing several factors which make the African continent peculiar. To achieve this objective, I scanned the literature with the view to identify and enumerate the characteristic features of the African continent and established how each of them creates fertile ground for terrorism to thrive. In order to locate the study to the broader context I premised it on the Frustration-Aggression theory which holds that when people are frustrated they act in an abnormal manner and sometimes direct their anger to innocent victims. The findings of the study show that Africa is more vulnerable to terrorism due to a confluence of factors. Some are endogenous while others are exogenous. Among these factors are: porous borders, ethnic and religious differences, lack of financial resources which force countries to rely on Western countries, multiplicity of political parties and many others. Based on these findings, the article recommends inter alia: strengthening borders, reducing the number of political parties as well as electing political leaders based on their credentials and not ethnic or religious affiliation.

Miguel De Unamuno and the Political Rhetoric of Counterterrorism: A Paradigmatic Lesson for Africa
Godwyns Ade’ Agbude47

The phenomenon of terrorism has taken a dimension in our globalized world that betrays a force that has come to stay. Terrorism in whatever dimension poses threats and insecurities to human existence. To this end, defenseless nation-states live in perpetual fears and anxieties and strong and ‘secured’ nations-states quake. The growth and the evolution of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam, Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas, ISIS, Bodu Bala Sena, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab among others have defined the foreign policies of many countries. Thus, domestic terrorism has transformed into globalized terror, defiling the borders of sovereign states. Some nation-states earlier thought that the viable strategy to avoiding terrorist activities is by standing aloof the countries experiencing them. This is possibly woven around Miguel De Unamuno’s existentialist philosophy. While employing secondary source of data, this paper discusses Miguel De Unamuno’s analysis of human nature in giving justification for political rhetoric of counterterrorism by the so-called ‘secured’ nation-states. This theory promotes a form of enclosed nationalism. The insufficiency of enclosed nationalism gives room to the need to embrace wider scope of counterterrorist measures against this cancerous 21st century phenomenon. On the basis of this, the paper concludes and recommends that due to the nature of terrorism as a contagious cancer, nation-states, regional and global organizations should once again embrace the idea of cooperationism and collectivism as against isolationism and absolutism in responding to the phenomenon of terrorism wherever and whenever it arises. There should be a formation of Global Alliance against Terrorism [GAATE]. More so, the paper recommends, for the African continent, self-reliance, citizenship (peoples’) hegemony, vibrant political activitism and uncompromising civil society as necessary paradigms in effective counterterrorism.

Al-Shabab: An Emerging Terrorist Group in Somalia
Segun Joshua and Felix Chidozie81

Since the Al-Qaeda terrorist group struck in the United States in September 2011, the upsurge of terrorism has become more frequent and deadly globally. Using sociology of education, with emphasis on indoctrination, the article explored Al-Shabaab as an emerging terrorist group in Somalia. The study found that Al-Shabaab emerged from some Islamic movement with the goal of establishing an Islamic state in Somalia. The group has established networks in some foreign countries and has also created several avenues to raise funds for its operations. The terrorist group has carried out several attacks, killing and wounding several thousands of people. Although efforts have been made to curb the gruesome activities of the group, the end of the group seems not to be in sight going by its spread. It is therefore recommended among others, the need for counter-media-war especially through the social media platform to dissuade young people from joining the group.

Unravelling Al Qaeda terrorism in the Maghreb region
Richard Chelin and Bheki R Mngomezulu107

Terrorism has recently become a menace to society, more especially in the African continent which already faces other challenges. However, not all parts of the continent affected by terrorism feature in the literature. Thus, the primary aim of this article is to fill that lacuna by discussing Al Qaeda terrorism in the Maghreb region which covers most of the region in north and north-west Africa. Using historical analysis, the article demonstrates how terrorism has evolved and changed forms in the Maghreb region in countries such as Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania. Sources such as reports and internet sources are used to trace the origins of terrorist activities in the Maghreb region, bearing in mind the historical links between the region and the Middle East through trade and religion. The findings show that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has evolved over time and devised various strategies in order to ensure its continued existence. Based on these findings, the article proposes resolute effort by African and international role-players to address illegal trafficking of humans and drugs; a need to appeal to the traditional codes of ethics which prohibit illicit activities; help to be given to the local population find sustainable alternative income-generating activities; and formalisation and control of the financial systems by formulating appropriate standards for overseeing financial institutions and adopting effective tools for monitoring money laundering.

Is Boko Haram Poverty Driven?
Ojochenemi J. David and Lucky E. Asuelime129

The Islamic sect generally dubbed Boko Haram has led a campaign of terror on the Nigeria state for years and without end in sight. Following their set objective of an Islamizing mission, it has generally been considered a strictly religious driven problem. However, we argue in the article that this approach is fairly narrow since it almost ignores other compelling factors. We argue also that despite the overbearing religious camouflage of Boko Haram mission, there is an almost ignored underlying causal factor - Poverty. Based on this, we employ the root cause approach to understanding poverty in Northern Nigeria as a driving force behind the taking up arms against the Nigerian state and as viable approach to understanding the enigmatic and dreadful Boko Haram sect.

Boko Haram insurgency and the challenges of Securing Nigerian state
Azeez Olaniyan151

Nigeria, it seems, has given birth to a new danger and it is called Boko Haram. Rare have been the months over the past three years that have not witnessed at least one attack carried out by the group. Since the climax of the battle of Maiduguri in early August 2009, it has steadily escalated its armed campaign to the extent that it now threatens the lives and peace of mind of millions of people living throughout northern and central Nigeria. So rapid and dramatic has its growth been and so audacious and well-executed some of its attacks, that it is now looked upon as a global threat. However, its potency is its implication for governance and security in Nigeria. This paper takes a historical and theoretical look at the spate of insurgencies in Nigeria as prelude to the emergence of Boko Haram. It then highlights the various impacts of the group’s activities on the Nigerian state, stating the various crimes being committed in all areas of operation. It then identifies the reasons accounting for the seeming helplessness of the Nigerian government in combating the murderous sect. Specifically, the paper argues that the Boko Haram insurgency presents a frontal attack on the Nigerian state, particularly in the onerous task of securing it. The paper then concludes with suggestions on workable option for combating what has turned out a menace.

[abstract]


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