NESA Center alumnus Dr. Hussein Solomon authored a chapter in the new book, "India-Africa: Building Synergies in Peace, Security and Development."

The book represents an effort to present views on peace, security and development partnership between India and the African countries. India and Africa both recognise that peace, security and development are intimately interwoven. While peace ensures opportunity for development, security enables as well as protects fruits of development. Africa is a continent which has witnessed many conflicts. However, Africa has also witnessed economic growth and political reform in the past decade. This volume brings together perspectives from Indian and African experts on diverse issues such as security, trade, development, conflict resolution, peacekeeping, terrorism and climate change. It will be of interest to students and researchers of African studies, India- Africa relations and security studies.

Dr. Solomon authored Chapter 6: "Confronting the Rise of Radicalization and Terrorism in Africa," which begins on page 82.

Introduction

That terrorism constitutes a serious threat to Africa’s citizens is without doubt. According to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, there has been more than a 1000 per cent increase in terrorism since 2006.1 What is disconcerting is that while terror attacks are growing in their intensity in traditional terror hotspots like the Sahel, they are also spreading to other areas where they were hitherto nonexistent – such as northern Mozambique. While African States and organizations have attempted to confront the threat, the fresh terror attacks on innocent civilians and the African armed forces suggest that current strategies are simply not working. The increasing geographic spread and severity of attacks also suggest that international efforts at supporting counter-terrorism have thus far failed. This chapter seeks to provide a brief overview of the reasons for terrorism, examine some of the challenges confronting the African Union and its Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and provide some ways in which the international community can assist their African partners in confronting the threat posed. The international community also needs to take cognizance of what happens in Africa will increasingly have a global impact elsewhere. The existence of various franchises of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State on the continent illustrates the point well as does the expanded footprint of Lebanese Hezbollah across the continent. We live in a global village where insecurity anywhere threatens security everywhere.

Click here or on the PDF attachment below to read the book.

About the Author

Dr. Hussein Solomon is Senior Professor in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He was previously Head of Department of Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State.

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