Thomas Jaye Work-in-Progress Series
The Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR) at KAIPTC held an internal ‘Work-In-Progress Seminar’.
Topic: Jihadism and Radicalization in Senegal
Speaker: Dr. Naila Salihu
Date: Wednesday 1st September 2021
Time: 1000hrs
Abstract: Senegal is located in the troubled Sahel region of West Africa. The country has enjoyed relative stability despite of a latent conflict in its Casamance region. The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) has since the early 1980s being engaged in low intensity armed confrontation with the Senegalese government in a campaign for the independence or autonomy of the region. Senegal is a dominant Muslim country with about 90% of its population been Muslims. This is considered as a potential risk to the country’s vulnerability to jihadism and radicalization. Indeed, there have been reports and arrests of Senegalese foreign terrorist fighters in parts of the region. This report examines the extent of jihadism and radicalization in Senegal. The report further examines the nature of the problem, the principal actors. It also explores the existing response mechanism and their effectiveness and challenges.
