While it could be arguably stated that West Africa has achieved remarkable and sustainable progress in the areas of democratic governance and economic growth, the sub-region, over the past few years, has been challenged by terrorism and other transnational security threats. Innocent civilians are continuously killed; security operatives and providers of humanitarian assistance targeted; properties and infrastructure wantonly destroyed; thus culminating in significant displacement of people and acute poverty. If these developments are not carefully and timeously addressed, they are capable of eroding progress so far recorded. It is against this background, that this Thesis undertakes a study of the different manifestations of terrorism and related transnational security challenges in West Africa, to explore the internal and external sources and drivers of instability; establish the linkages between terrorism and transnational threats; examine the various steps taken in recent time to strengthen the sub-regions capacity to prevent and address the menace of terrorism and other security challenges, and make necessary policy recommendations based on comprehensive best practices.

While it could be arguably stated that West Africa has achieved remarkable and sustainable progress in the areas of democratic governance and economic growth, the subregion, over the past few years, has been challenged by terrorism and other transnational security threats. Innocent civilians are continuously killed, security operatives and providers of humanitarian assistance are targeted, and properties and infrastructures are wantonly destroyed, thus culminating in significant displacement of people and acute poverty. If these developments are not carefully and timely addressed, they are capable of eroding progress so far recorded. It is against this background that this book examines the different manifestations of terrorism and related transnational security challenges in West Africa, with a view to exploring the internal and external sources and drivers of instability, establishing the linkages between terrorism and transnational threats, and reviewing the various steps taken in recent time to strengthen the subregions capacity to prevent and address the menace of terrorism and other security challenges and make necessary policy recommendations based on comprehensive best practices.

This book focuses on the involvement of some Kenyans in al-Shabaab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda based in Somalia, despite their country’s relative stability compared to Somalia. It discusses the origin of the Kenyan state and how colonization created social stratification that benefited elites closer to the center, while excluding marginalized groups at the periphery. The argument is that this pattern still prevails, despite attempts to enhance equality, such as the adoption of a new constitution in 2010 promoting the devolution of power and resources. The persistence of this condition, it is argued, is what initially handed al-Qaeda and later al-Shabaab opportunities for mobilization, enabled by its creative politicization of religion. The heavy-handed tactics employed by security forces under the auspices of the ‘War on Terror’ further catalyzed this process, resulting in more Kenyan individuals joining the group. Using an historical and political process approach, the book shows how the interplay of structural conditions and al-Shabaab’s mobilization strategy linked with individuals’ motivations for joining the group. Based on individuals’ own narratives about their participation, the latter is empirically demonstrated to be non-linear, incorporating motivations beyond rational ones, contrary to the overemphasis on ideology in the literature on participation in groups similar to al-Shabaab. This book will of much interest to students of political violence, African politics, Islamic studies and International Relations.

øSince 9/11, despite extensive international efforts against global terrorism, there has been a misfocussing on the terrorism in Africa. This timely book draws upon the author�s experience as a former intelligence analyst, to give an account of terrori

Global Terrorism, 4th edition continues to provide students with the most comprehensive introduction to terrorism as a global phenomenon. It introduces students to history, politics, ideologies, and strategies of both contemporary and earlier terrorist groups. Written in a clear and accessible style, each chapter explains a distinctive aspect of terrorism and discusses a wide variety of detailed case studies from around the world. Although the focus is on the contemporary, the book also includes discussion of preceding terrorist groups. Building on the strengths of the first three editions, this edition includes new material on: • Attacks by ISIS in Europe • Unrest in Afghanistan and Pakistan • Russia and Chechnya • Violence in Iraq • Decades of terrorism in Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and the Basque region of Spain • Right wing terrorism in the United States The unique combination of a genuinely historical focus and truly global coverage makes this an ideal introductory textbook for anyone interested in the study of terrorism.

This volume gathers contributors across a wide range of disciplines to explore the relationship between the environment, economics, and development in Nigeria from the twentieth century to the present, examining issues such as violence, health, and contemporary concerns about sustainability and conservation. It sheds light not just on the environmental history of Nigeria - a crucial, paradigmatic case in its own right - but also offers insights into these issues as they manifest themselves throughout the developing world.

As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in scale and complexity, it is crucial to explore new and innovative solutions to combat them. The application of computer vision (CV) techniques in cybersecurity offers a promising solution to protect sensitive data and systems from malicious attacks. By leveraging CV algorithms, cybersecurity professionals and researchers can design more efficient and effective cybersecurity solutions, making them better equipped to handle the growing number of cyber threats. Global Perspectives on the Applications of Computer Vision in Cybersecurity is a comprehensive guide that offers practical insights into the principles and techniques of computer vision for cybersecurity. The book highlights the real-world applications of CV in various domains, including computer system security, web security, network security, IoT security, and digital forensics. It also emphasizes the importance of responsible CV for cybersecurity, ensuring that CV models adhere to ethical principles and are transparent and interpretable. By reading this book, cybersecurity professionals and researchers can gain a better understanding of how to use CV techniques to design solid cybersecurity solutions and address the challenges involved. With the guidance of the editors, Franklin Tchakounte and Marcellin Atemkeng, who are experts in both cybersecurity and computer vision, readers can leverage the power of CV to secure the future of our digital world. Join the movement today to revolutionize the field of cybersecurity and protect against the growing threat of cyber-attacks.

Conflicts in North and West Africa have become more violent and widespread than in the past. They have also become more difficult to resolve due to the complex relationships between a growing number of belligerents with diverging agendas. This report maps conflict networks and the evolution of rivalries and alliances in 21 North and West African countries.

African governments are increasingly confronted with new forms of political violence. This study maps the evolution of violence across North and West Africa, with a particular focus on Mali, Lake Chad and Libya.