NCJ Number
224578
Journal
Studies in Conflict and Terrorism Volume: 31 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 829-855
Date Published
September 2008
Length
27 pages
Annotation
The intent of this article is to explore East Africa’s potential as a breeding ground for “Islamic radicalism.”
Abstract
Efforts to stem the development of Islamic militancy and radicalism in East Africa are hampered by three key reasons: (1) internal problems within each of the countries in the region, ranging from poor socioeconomic conditions coupled with rising political repression; (2) Islamic militancy draws on regional instability in its Islamization process; and (3) the lack of willingness by the international community to adopt effective sanctioning measures against regimes that commit gross human rights violations. A key issue that may lead to a radicalized East Africa, but which exists as an immediate concern, is the situation in Somalia, which may become the Afghanistan of Africa. Overall, East Africa could succumb to Islamic radicalism, but an effective and unified regional and international stance would ensure the defeat of Islamic radicalism. Africa is rarely associated with religious radicalism. Yet, over the last few years, a new phenomenon in the form of “Islamic radicalism” has emerged in Africa, a development that may add to the instability that pervades the continent. This article explores the development of Islamic radicalism in East Africa by examining specific states. 2 figures, 128 notes, and appendix