A Coordinated Approach to Deal with Violent Radicalization in Africa

Although violent radicalization existed in Africa prior to these critical stages of history it was mostly focused on internal domestic politics and targeted their countries’ regimes.  Since the early 1990s until today violent radical groups expanded their network and activities and Africa became launching pad for al-Qaeda’s global network and appeal.

In counterterrorism efforts two competing approaches come to the fore namely, coercion and conciliation. Many states subscribe to this coercive approach that includes the use of physical force to injure or kill terrorists or their supporters. Coercion approach also necessitates international cooperation in order to detect growing external funding, weapon sources and training, to weaken such organizations’ operational capabilities.

In contrast with the coercion approach the conciliatory approach embraces that states should address the root causes of terrorism. It includes attempts to persuade violent radical groups and their supporters to give up terrorism by promising change. It explores ways reintegrate them to the society through terrorist rehabilitation programs, accepts the possibility of release of prisoners and negotiating with the terrorists in order to resolve crises. In African context there are examples where state responses included both approaches (ex. Nigerian state responses to Boko Haram). However in order for these approaches to be effective a long term vision should also be taken that addresses the sources of human insecurity in the region and targets a reduction in levels of underdevelopment in Africa.

Turkey has been struggling with terrorism in all its forms and manifestations for decades, ranging from FETÖ to the ethnic separatist PKK terrorism, and the leftist DHKP-C to religiously motivated terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and DAESH, as well as the “17 November” and “ASALA” terrorist organizations. Turkey has never been in a colonial position or relationship with the Continent. On the contrary, African nations looked for help from Ottomans in their struggle against colonial oppressors. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that Turkey’s War of Independence under the able leadership of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, has had a strong influence on the African peoples in their struggle for liberation and independence.

In recent years Turkey-Africa relations have evolved to an unprecedented level in economic, political, cultural and security terms. Turkey provides all of its official development assistance to the continent through bilateral channels and with aid primarily directed towards social and economic infrastructures. Benefiting from its non-colonial past on the continent, Turkey has started to increase its activities in the field of security, ranging from its involvement in the state-building process to its military presence on the continent. 

A coordinated approach to deal with violent radicalization between Turkey and African countries with a special emphasis on human and physical security deficiencies empowers their fight against terrorism.

The paper explores the emergence of violent radical groups in Africa and examines how they have responded to that threat. It also evaluates how Africa has increasingly become part of Ankara’s broader strategic outlook and how Turkey’s African policy that centered around on a “mutual understanding of needs and gains approach” that would also contribute the Continent’s fight against terrorism.

Key Words: Violent radicalization in Africa, state responses to terrorism, nature of religious terrorism, Turkey-Africa defense cooperation, Ankara consensus on development cooperation.