al-Shabaab and Boko Haram: recruitment strategies, peace and conflict studies
SOURCE: Peace and Conflict Studies
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2020
TITLE AUTHOR(S): J.T.Omenma, C.Hendricks, N.C.Ajaebili
KEYWORDS: AL-SHABAAB, BOKO HARAM, POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES, RECRUITMENT, TERRORISM
DEPARTMENT: African Institute of South Africa (AISA)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 11583
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/15442
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/15442
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2020
TITLE AUTHOR(S): J.T.Omenma, C.Hendricks, N.C.Ajaebili
KEYWORDS: AL-SHABAAB, BOKO HARAM, POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES, RECRUITMENT, TERRORISM
DEPARTMENT: African Institute of South Africa (AISA)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 11583
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/15442
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/15442
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
This paper is an examination of the membership recruitment strategies of two violent extremist organizations (VEOs), namely al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. The majority of the literature on VEOs concentrates on the conceptualization of terrorism, motivations for terrorism and counter-terrorism strategies, as well as a focus on the frequency of VEO attacks, number of fatalities and funding sources. The literature tends to portray poverty as the main driver of recruitment. The focus on recruitment strategies has been relatively recent. There is therefore still a lack of in-depth analyses on the processes of recruitment of specific extremist groups, and this impacts on the development of effective counter-insurgency policies and practices. We conclude that there is a need for more nuanced studies of recruitment practices, including radicalization strategies, of specific VEOs in Africa. This understanding of recruitment practices, particularly by VEOs such as Boko Haram and al-Shabaab, will enable more context specific counter-insurgency programmes that target the ability of these organizations to recruit and expand. There can be no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with the challenge of violent extremism in Africa.-
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