Africa has become a focal point in the war against terror. Away from the West and the battle fields of Iraq and Afganistahan Africa’s vast open and wild territory has become a playing ground for various terror groups over the last few years. The LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), and Al Shabaab, two of the major terror groups operating in Africa, are now commonly known names in western press.
While terror groups are abusing African nations to build up their operations, terror acts are being launched against western targets in Africa and beyond. As the major efforts in the war against terror have been focused in the region of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the local branches of Al Qaeda in Africa have been able to grow stronger.
The situation has intensified to a point where leading African nations like Uganda, Somalia, Kenya and Nigeria decided to join forces and fight terror together.
The LRA, which has operated for years in central Africa has now been formally, designated a terror organization by the African Union. The statement follows U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision to send 100 military advisers to the region to support central African allies such as Uganda and Kenya in pursuing group leader Joseph Kony and other rebel commanders last month. The rebel group is believed to have no more than a few hundred fighters, but they have been able to operate freely in the remote and lawless region of east central Africa.
In Somalia, the al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab group has been spreading fear and terror destabilizing the region. The group has taken advantage of the Arab Spring to further cement its relationship with the Al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen. In addition to training recruits in Somalia, Al Qaeda in Yemen, which is behind the last two major plots against the U.S. involving aircraft, has begun sharing bomb-making techniques with Al-Shabaab.
Recognizing terror as a top threat to the region, Uganda, Somalia and Kenya are now joining forces to fight terror groups and Islamic radicals. Despite the growing numbers of soldiers in the region, groups like Al Shabbab and LRA are determined to fight this through.
The US sending troops to Uganda is a strong signal of support to an ally in the war against terror. Israel has also identified eastern Africa as an important strategic interest and is stepping up ties with nations in the region in a joint effort to control the spread of Islamic extremists. China has been building closer ties with Uganda in light of its contribution to the war on terror.
With strong African nations like Uganda and Kenya taking the lead on the fight against terror, the west should further support their efforts. The Arab Spring is pushing Islamists to power across the Middle East and North Africa. With the rise of political Islam the west should pay more attention to the growing emphasize of the African Al Qaeda linked groups and support local countries in the fight against terror.