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