Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism in 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.

• 1. Chapter One: Understanding the Terrorist Threat in Africa and the Limitations of the Current Counterterrorist Paradigm 2. Islam in Africa 3. Al Shabaab in Somalia: Between Clan and Faith 4. Ansar Dine in Mali: Between Tuareg Nationalism and Islamism 5. Nigeria's Boko Haram: Contesting Ethnic, Religious and Regional Identities 6. Responding to Terror: An Assessment of African Union Counterterrorism Strategies 7. Responding to Terror: An Assessment of US Counterterrorism Strategies in Africa 8. Conclusion

"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)