The arab spring was remarkable for many reasons but one feature particularly worth noting was the absence of al qaeda throughout the uprisings. It was established in 2000 with the mandate to combat money laundering and. Abnaa ul calipha south sudan sudan ethiopia eritrea central african republic chad cameroon niger mauritania m or c ghana cote d ivoire uganda tanzania mozambique. Al shabaab, an extremist group in somalia whose leadership swore a loyalty oath to al qaeda in 2012, has claimed credit for the attack on the westgate mall, in nairobi, kenya, which began killed. Shinn and others published al qaeda in east africa and the horn find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. These attacks were soon directly linked to al qaeda. Nonetheless, the horn of africa appears to remain a central jigsaw piece in alqaedas game plan. An al qaeda operative5 al qaedas methods of raising and moving money have bedeviled the worlds intelligence agencies for good reason.
While alqaeda follows a populationfocused approach and sees the overthrown of arab governments as a precondition for the caliphate, the islamic state. In may 2003, the kenyan government admitted that a key member of the al qaeda terror network was plotting an attack on western targets, confirming al qaedas. The threat is compounded by globalization, with barriers to. It pits the islamic state isis, the iraq and syriabased group that has expanded deep into africa since surging to international attention in 2014, against alqaida, the veteran extremist group. Al qaeda has conducted operations and recruited members in africa. The task force on money laundering in central africa groupe daction contre le blanchiment dargent en afrique centrale gabac is a body of the economic and monetary community of central africa. While al qaeda and the islamic state are enemies in syria and yemen, allegiances in west africa tend to be more fluid, bolstered by tribal ties and practical concerns rather than ideology.
Al qaeda will need to be adapted to aqims african context. Alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, launched in january 2007, is the most recently established franchise of osama bin ladens jihadi network, and it is also the only one to have so far escaped the decline and crisis of the other. Jan 20, 2019 a branch of al qaeda in northwestern africa claimed responsibility for an attack on a united nations base in mali that killed 10 chadian peacekeepers on sunday, saying it was in response to chad. Terrorism in the horn of africa united states institute of peace. The al qaeda manual al qaeda manual the al qaeda manual states that the al qaeda manual cites as a source of inspiration the history of terrorism. Al qaidas misadventures in the horn of africa draws on recently declassified documents captured by the defense department about al qaidas first coalescence as an organization primarily from 19921994, original field work by ctc personnel, and careful country studies. Al qaedas means and methods to raise, move, and use money. Al qaeda also retains a small but growing presence in afghanistan.
The network is comprised of a clandestine apparatus, al qaedas official branch joined by its allies, as well as the ansar al sharia chapters. Analysis of the spread of al qaeda into west africa. Western countries have little desire to intervene in african conflicts. Paris has taken on a wellarmed and wellfunded group, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, which poses a serious threat to africa and the west. In contrast, al qaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. While senior al qaeda figures reportedly remain based in pakistan, the network maintains a number of affiliates across the middle east and africa including al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, and al shabaab. To begin with, alqaedas known presence on the continent has been primarily within the countries of north and east africa. To that end, it is currently engaged in an antigovernment campaign. World africa isis al qaeda terrorism the threat to western interests from jihadists groups and transnational terrorists operating in africa has grown steadily over the past decade. Mar 14, 2019 its experience fighting in syria has expanded al qaedas contacts, and, given the proliferation of jihadist groups pdf worldwide67 active groups as of 2019there will be more opportunities for al qaeda to work with likeminded terrorists from north africa to southeast asia. It was established in 2000 with the mandate to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, assess the. Oct 25, 2017 alshabab in east africa is now stronger in africa than alqaeda is in the middle east and no longer looks to them for mentorship but still benefits from funds raised by their network in the. Rather, the challenges posed by al qaeda s global enterprise have become more diffuse. Rather, the challenges posed by al qaedas global enterprise have become more diffuse.
The al qaeda network today also comprises semiautonomous or self radicalized actors, who often have only peripheral or ephemeral ties to either the core cadre in pakistan or affiliated groups elsewhere. Isis and alqaeda terrorists increase attacks on western. In recent years commentators have begun to suggest that africa will be the next haven for al qaeda, with al shabaab, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim and boko haram all having affiliations with al qaeda in varying degrees. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb has had international ambitions since the central leadership of al qaeda bestowed member status on it in 2006. Shinn and others published alqaeda in east africa and the horn find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. The al qaeda manual the attached manual was located by the manchester england metropolitan police during a search of an al qaeda members home. Al qaedas means and methods to raise, move, and use money there are two things a brother must always have for jihad, the self and money. Jan 21, 20 paris has taken on a wellarmed and wellfunded group, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, which poses a serious threat to africa and the west. Africa is the new terrorist battleground for isis and alqaeda. Abu musab abdel wadoud also known as abdelmalek droukdel is the emir of aqim. Protesters, often with women in the lead, took to the streets demanding greater dignity, opportunity and politi cal.
In contrast, alqaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. Well and comprehensively researched, using multiple interviews with key actors including a former president of mali and the french commanding general, the french war on al qaida in africa provides a compelling analytical narrative of the important french mission in mali since 20. This document is a standalone version of the alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim case study used in the independent assessment. Could alqaeda turn african in the sahel jeanpierre filiu. Like other regional emirs, he has sworn an oath of fealty bayat to zawahiri, al qaeda s global chief.
Cna is publishing each of the eight case studies separately for the convenience of analysts and others who may have a regional or functional focus that corresponds to a specific case study. Feb 14, 20 droukdel, the emir of al qaeda in the islamic maghreb, perhaps surprisingly argues that his fighters moved too fast and too brutally in applying the islamic law known as shariah to northern mali. Africa mujao islamic state in the greater sahara isgs algeria al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim somalia al shabaab islamic state in somalia iss a. Alqaedas financial pressures council on foreign relations. But the algerianrun aqim could help alqaeda central incorporate a new generation of recruits from the sahel. Under continuing pressure, al qaeda today is more decentralized, more dependent on its affiliates and allies. From antiquity to al qaeda combating al qaeda and the militant islamic threat al qaeda and u. The us has a backseat role in this fight, but a big. An insurgency is being waged by the salafist group for preaching and. While senior al qaeda figures reportedly remain based in pakistan. New islamistnationalist fighters swelled alshababs ranks from around four hundred into the thousands between 2006 and 2008.
Isis and alqaida turf wars in africa may push fragile. Like other regional emirs, he has sworn an oath of fealty bayat to zawahiri, al qaedas global chief. Last year osama bin laden, its leader, called on islamist fighters to defeat somalias usbacked. How alqaeda and islamic state differ in pursuit of common. Al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim is increasingly well integrated with local. Pursuing alqaeda in horn of africa news al jazeera. West africas growing terrorist threat africa center for strategic. While senior al qaeda figures reportedly remain based in pakistan, the network includes a number of affiliates across the middle east and africa including al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, and al shabaab.
Any assessment of this threats likelihood must consider the african record of osama bin laden and his associates. Mishandling suicide terrorism combating a modern hydra. World africa isis alqaeda terrorism the threat to western interests from jihadists groups and transnational terrorists operating in africa has grown steadily over the past decade. Droukdel, the emir of alqaeda in the islamic maghreb, perhaps surprisingly argues that his fighters moved too fast and too brutally in applying the islamic law known as shariah to northern mali. Several of these individualsincluding usama bin ladenhave. As such, he is responsible for overseeing the jihadists efforts throughout north and west africa on behalf of al qaeda s senior leadership. But with the rise of al qaeda in africa, they have. Alqaeda and the islamic state share the same ultimate goal of reestablishing the historical islamic caliphate, but they differ over the strategies needed to achieve the same end. As such, he is responsible for overseeing the jihadists efforts throughout north and west africa on behalf of al qaedas senior leadership. The manual was found in a computer file described as the military series related to the declaration of jihad.
A branch of al qaeda in northwestern africa claimed responsibility for an attack on a united nations base in mali that killed 10 chadian peacekeepers. Alqaeda has always been aware of the importance of this huge continent and since its emergence attempted at feeling its pulse. Osama bin laden appears to have no grand plans for africa. Since the fall of the taliban, alqaeda has established operations worldwide, including in syria, the gulf, north africa, west africa, east africa, and the indian subcontinent. Alqaedas 911 attacks was the deadliest ever on american soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. Middle east and africa combating al qaedas splinters. Mar 16, 2016 al qaeda in the islamic maghreb has had international ambitions since the central leadership of al qaeda bestowed member status on it in 2006. In this section, i briefly outline the structure of al qaedas network in north africa. Al qaeda also retains a small but possibly growing presence in afghanistan. At the outset, aqims global strategy was based on the triangular dynamic of the middle east where iraq serves as a magnet for potential recruits. Introduction in early 2011, revolutions in egypt, tunisi a, libya and yemen heralded a new era of arab politics. The war on terrorism in africa council on foreign relations. Organizations such as alqaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim algeria, sahel and.
Protesters, often with women in the lead, took to the streets demanding greater dignity, opportunity and politi cal pluralism. The base, the foundation, alternatively spelled alqaida and alqaida is a transnational extremist salafist militant organization founded in 1988 by osama bin laden, abdullah azzam, and several other arab volunteers during the sovietafghan war. The groups ties to alqaeda emerged during this period. Al qaedas central command structure in afghanistan and pakistan has been decimated. Isis has ruled ruthlessly and killed with few restraints in its syrian holdings. The growing influence of alqaeda on the african continent. Alqaeda has always been aware of the importance of this huge continent and since its emergence attempted at feeling its. From 2009 to 2011, activity by alqaeda was noted in 19 african. To date, more than 20 people have been charged in connection with the bombings. In the sparsely populated sahel region of africa, alqaeda affiliates have turned to kidnapping foreigners pdf to generate cash, says ambassador daniel benjamin, the state departments. This document is a standalone version of the al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim case study used in the independent assessment. Al qaeda s central command structure in afghanistan and pakistan has been decimated.
The african embassy bombings and americas search for justice explores the stepbystep procedures the united states employed in analyzing these attacks, identifying the suspects, tracking down and apprehending them, building a case, and prosecuting them. Alqaidas misadventures in the horn of africa draws on recently declassified documents captured by the defense department about alqaidas first coalescence as an organization primarily from 19921994, original field work by ctc personnel, and careful country studies. Alshabab in east africa is now stronger in africa than alqaeda is in the middle east and no longer looks to them for mentorship but still benefits from funds raised by their network in the. Apr 29, 2015 al qaeda often takes a similar approach to western aid workers operating in its midst. It has included a number of bombing attacks in north africa and supporting parties in civil wars in eritrea and somalia.
The attached manual was located by the manchester england. Al qaeda and the threat in north africa fdds long war. Abu azzam alansari, alqaeda is moving to africa the interest of the mujahidin of alqaeda in africa is an old one but has progressed slowly. Its experience fighting in syria has expanded al qaedas contacts, and, given the proliferation of jihadist groups pdf worldwide67 active groups as of 2019there will be more opportunities for al qaeda to work with likeminded terrorists from north africa to southeast asia. Pdf alqaeda in east africa and the horn david shinn.
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