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| Terror Networks & Islam | ||
| Islamism in Africa | ||
| 2005-07-13 | ||
| WASHINGTON, July 13 (UPI) -- After losing Afghanistan and Pakistan as a base of operations Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network have found that a number of African countries offer decent alternatives and a gold mine of potential recruits. Studies show that "Islam is the fastest growing religion on the African subcontinent and has a significant presence in an array of states," reports a paper just released from the United States Institute of Peace. Suddenly, a continent that since colonialism went out of style and was largely ignored by the rest of the world, is attracting the attention of security analysts and counter-terrorism experts. And what these experts are discovering is sending red lights, warning that greater danger may be brewing if nothing is done -- and sooner rather than later. "An understanding on political Islam on the African sub-continent is a precondition for the formulation of an effective U.S. policy toward the region," writes David Dickson, in a special report for the United State Institute of Peace, titled "Political Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa. "The United States should expand its diplomatic presence on the African subcontinent, accompanied by the deployment of personnel conversant with local languages and Islam. Understanding local and political and social dynamics is a precondition for sound U.S. policy," says Dickson. Indeed, if success is to be achieved in fighting the war on terrorism, it is of first and foremost importance to understand the nature of the beast. In fighting the enemy it is just as important to understand what makes him tick. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon, Islamist militants rapidly adapted to changes as a result of pressure from Western intelligence services, intent on tracking them down. Accordingly, the terrorists had to learn to transform their methods of operations. For example, since the 2001 attacks, Osama bin Laden and his affiliates have veered away from using conventional financial institutions, as well as the more traditional hawala systems commonly used in large parts of the Middle East to transfer money. They have learned that bank transfers can be traced and they can be caught, as has been the case. Just as they have also learned that the hawalas can be followed to their destinations, and arrests can be made. As did occur. They have done much the same with their communications -- basically avoiding electronic communication as far as possible because these are easily traceable. They have shunned cellular telephones which can have their location pinpointed right down to the yard. And, to a large extent, they have avoided using private computers, e-mail and the Internet. Typically, some counter-terrorism experts say, they prefer to use computers in Internet cafes from where they can send innocuous looking messages, usually in code, and then disappear into anonymity. Instead they have reverted to dispatching "couriers," people with information carried in their heads, or money stashed around so as not to arouse suspicion. They now rely on trusted couriers to personally carry sums of money from point to point. It might seem cumbersome, but it offers them a far safer alternative and is less traceable. In stepping up the pressure on friendly nations, U.S and Western intelligence and counter-terrorism services have made it extremely difficult, but not impossible for the terrorists to adapt. After suffering initial setbacks in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, al-Qaida and their affiliates have turned their attention -- and their recruiting efforts -- to a part of the globe from which, unfortunately, much of the rest of the planet seems to have turned away: Africa. Younis Mohammad Ibrahim al-Hayyari, Al-Qaida's chief in Saudi Arabia who was killed by Saudi security forces a few weeks ago, was a Moroccan citizen. "While the mystical and often syncretic variants of Sufi Islam are evident in much of East and West Africa, the austere, illiberal Wahabi sect, coming from out of Saudi Arabia has found a growing audience in these regions, and in the Horn," the USIP report states. "The consequent battle for the heart of African Islam constitutes an important part of the African religious landscape, with implications for both African politics and relations with the United States."
What is needed at this juncture is a coherent policy on Africa and a subtle approach -- both of which seem to be lacking at the moment. The policy should be developed in conjunction with the African countries concerned and constructed in such a way that it would appear to be their initiative, not that of the United States or the West. This would give it a better chance of success. "The United States cannot win hearts and minds simply on the basis of sophisticated public diplomacy. Economic and resource commitments are crucial to this effort," states the report. Hopefully the U.S. State Department will give this report serious consideration.
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| Posted by:Steve |