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Segmented terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel zone. The second stage: 2016-2021
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Segmented terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel zone. The second stage: 2016-2021
Annotation
PII
S032150750018779-8-
Publication type
Article
Status
Published
Authors
Ilia V. Ponomarev 
ORCID: 0000-0002-8848-3750
Occupation: Senior Research Fellow
Affiliation: Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences
Address: Moscow, 30/1 Spiridonovka, Moscow, 123001, Russia
Edition
Issue 2
Pages
47-55
Abstract

Several distinctive points characterize the second stage under analyses: the expansion of new armed alliances - Jamā’at Nuṣrat al Islām wal Muslimīn (JNIM) and Islamic State of the Greater Sahara (ISGS); the rise of resistance movement; the growth of inter- and intra-communal tensions.

Conflicts embraced the regions of Central Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, populated predominantly by ethnic Fulani. Armed jihadi groups spread alarmingly in the northern border zones of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Western Nigeria. Trying to stop destabilization, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso harshly and unduly pressed local population (predominantly the cattle-breeder Fulani) instead of mounting preventive measures.

Indiscriminating state military campaigns further provoked radicalisation of ethno-militias aggravating struggle for meager resources, retaliatory actions and ethnic cleansing. The net result of the government’s policies has been inflation of its legitimacy in the Fulani populated regions of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. It became the best situation for JNIM and ISGS to recruit.

In contrast with the previous stage, JNIM and ISGS are deeply rooted in local clan-cast structures and enjoy more support from wider population. For some years theу have effectively managed access to pastures and water resources, resolve communal disputes and protect willing pastoralists, hunters, traders and peasants from bandits and corrupt state officials.

Drivers and deep causes of the situation cannot be explained from the perspective of ‘common enemy’ in the ‘war on terror’ - implicit impetus of many anti-terror studies and related international laws, both in dire need of revaluation.

Keywords
armed alliances, JNIM, ISGS, resistance movement, Fulani, clan-cast structures, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso
Received
02.12.2021
Date of publication
02.03.2022
Number of purchasers
14
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1101
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S032150750018779-8-1 Дата внесения правок в статью - 02.03.2022
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