Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in Africa

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.

“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)

'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

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.