Counter-terrorism policies in the Horn of Africa: A critical review of methodologies, techniques and impact, 2005 - 2012
Abstract
Counter-terrorism policies in the Horn of Africa are U.S. driven with the aim of
achieving American objectives in the region. Africa is the new focus of the world
powers due to resource competition, home to failed and weak states that are breeding
grounds for terrorists. This has led to increasing interest from majorly the U.S. and
China. The U.S. offers goodies to the HOA region but these are accompanied with
restrictions whilst China has a policy of non-interference with the internal affairs of
partner states which African states like. The events of 9/11 changed the U.S. outlook
of Africa as a point of interest due to the need to enhance its counter-terrorism
capabilities. The HOA exhibited failed and weak states, structural and social
injustices and economic deficiency all these, key pull factors for extremists’
recruiters. This research project sets out to critically analyse counter-terrorism
policies in the HOA region. This will focus on the methodologies in place as well as
the specific techniques used to counter terrorism in the region. It will then look at the
impact of these methodologies and techniques in the region. This will be to find out if
they have positively or negatively impacted terrorism. From this, recommendations on
policy direction geared towards localising counter-terrorism methodologies and
techniques will be made in an effort to defeat terrorism. This research will cover the
time period of 2005 – 2012, a period which saw terrorists’ attacks in the region pick
up. This study is significant as this phenomenon is gaining ground in the region and
need to be halted before it spirals out of control. Specific counter-terrorism players
and measures will be looked at including CJTF-HOA with a bias to their activities in
Kenya. This will help in formulating methodologies and tactics that are localised
therefore guaranteed to work. Terrorism has been active in the region since 1998 with
all measures thrown at it backfiring and it growing in stature, complexity and
frequency
Citation
A Research Project Submitted To The Institute Of Diplomacy And International Studies (idis), University Of Nairobi, In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirements For The Degree Of Master Of Arts In International Conflict Management (ICM)Publisher
University of Nairobi Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies