Drivers of Violent Extremism
Purpose
- How violent extremists use communication assets.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding the various strategies deployed by Violent Extremists in communicating.
- Examine how individuals/groups can contribute in PCVE.
Exercises
- Watch Video, OSCE, ” We Can Prevent, We Can Counter” (23 June 2016). Write down issues that really stuck out in the video?
Case study
A girl who became radicalized via abduction by a terrorist recruiter is rescued by authorities at a border near a zone of known terrorist activity. Some of the ‘push’ factors included abusive family members to whom she did not wish to return.
- How should the girl’s return be approached?
- What type of measures should be put in place to support her and her family?
- What factors should be taken into consideration in making decisions in this situation?
Drivers of Violent Extremism
Tutor: Khadijah Gumbi
What was really striking in the OSCE video was the imminent risks of socio-political exclusion. It’s mind-blowing how the law of unintended consequences works. The terrorist crisis in the Sahel is the offspring of racism, sexism, tribalism, corruption, and all social scourges that have historically gnawed our societies.
Poverty in my region has been a major push factor for young men and girls to be radicalised. They say, “I rather die of a bullet than dying of poverty”.
This is so sad. Such stark, and terrible, options.
Can pull factors lead to terrorism ?
The violence in my country have been a combination of push and pull. The youth are inheriting hatred
there are limited resources and opportunities, so much frustration! the youth are tired of being told of a better tomorrow.
I also love the idea of building resilient Communities and women empowerment from the video.
Me too. An empowered community is not likely to be radicalised.
Harriet and Lucy, this is very interesting and it raises an important question, the issue of empowerment especially in terms of access to opportunity for young people. Africa does have a youth bulge and if the rise of violent extremism is an indicator, the continent and national governments need to do better in providing and democratizing access to opportunity.
What stands out in the OSCE video is the concept of building a resilient youth, which is impossible without making sure that their educational needs are met and providing extracurricular activities and social that would help them develop skills and engage in healthy pastimes.
In Nigeria, an increase in radicalization and violent extremism can be traced to a conglomeration of factors, but the most alarming is the weakened state capacity to protect its citizens from security threats. This is likely to trigger a rise in vigilante groups, which could devolve into terrorist organizations.
*social amenities*
Absolutely correct, Akumbu. Where opportunity cannot be provided for youth, it can lead to such youth becoming radicalized and joining groups that are in opposition to the good of society and, that having occurred, more youth join vigilantes to counter their fellow youth with force in a cycle of violence. Within this lockstep, a new “normalcy” ensues. But the reality is that all these youth ought to be in school, at work, or otherwise finding their best self-expression as valuable members of their communities and society at large.
Great points, Akumbu. I came back here after going through these to just think a bit more on all. You are spot on. Amazing how everything is interconnected, no?
I believe that the best approach like mentioned in the video is to focus on the upcoming generations because “it’s easier to bend a tree when it’s young.” Women empowerment is also a step in the right direction 👍
The push and pull factors go with the none acceptance of societal evolution. I think when a society isn’t evolving it tends to be poor, enjoy spreading propaganda and embraces radicalism.
Thank you for this session.
The lesson is quite informative. In my region, claims of social, economic and political marginalisation have been used to radicalise the youth.
You just hit the nail straight on the head. For example, in my country, Nigeria, rejection is spreading like a widefire. This is as a result of ethnic dominance and nepotism. In terms of political exclusion, some regions has been marginalized with the mindset that they can’t produce a particular leadership position. It also manifest itself in the area of political appointments. We also have economic exclusion. The economic of my nation has been attributed to a particular region, which is causing dominance. Another angle are the socio-economic victims. Only the rich in the society has access to the best facilities. This may incite the youth again the policians.
The economic issue is indeed very important. Young people especially must have access to economic opportunities that are democratized too. Thanks for bringing this up.
With matters concerning the OSCE video, it points out important vices like gender-based violence/domestic violence, caste discrimination amid more harmful vices including corruption/nepotism, which have affected both genders in various communities to the point where both genders don’t get along like they used to, and when you add dangerous mindsets like beliefs in terrorist/radical extremism, such individuals end up wreaking more havoc on innocent people across the location(s) of their communities, making this become a deadly cycle of violence, traumatic generations, and death.
Many people are tired of having to produce a shilling to even do important things like educating a child in an institution which will provide a better option of learning skills, so you find so many opportunities should now be looked into with a more keen eye, for the purpose of education, improvement of wisdom which will be shared with the generations to come, and improvement of the continent towards a more prosperous place for all Africans.
This is a holistic and very thorough assessment of the present situation. We need to build new partnerships of trust, we need to build new communities of practices as well. In Nigeria, in Kenya, everywhere.
Dans mon pays le Mali, tout est partie d’une crise. Depuis lors le gouvernement ne contrôle plus une grande partie de son territoire, cette même partie qui aujourd’hui est devenue pour ses populations des théâtres de drames. La pauvreté, l’insécurité, le manque d’instruction sont les véritables maux qui occasionnent l’accentuation de la violence au Mali.
La situation au Mali nous attriste vraiment tous. Ce sont des moments difficiles.
Education in all its forms is a veritable tool in countering violent extremism. In Nigeria, it is evident that the cases of violent extremism are more prevalent amongst the uneducated ( formal and informal) and this has been continually exploited by the elites.
The push factors are the greatest contributors of violent extremism in my country. Political exclusion plays a major role in this. I agree that a human rights approach should be adopted when countering violent extremism in every situation so that we don’t result to torture and the like.
Indeed, Pearl. If we run away from a people-centric approavh to governance, we take the first steps towards dysfunction. We must all be active citizens as the governments only govern for us, are made up of all of us.
I agree on the concept of building resilient communities it’s very important.
Also the aspect of financial independence for can’t be overemphasized
Indeed. Access to decent livelihoods and economic opportunities are surefire ways to carry out PCVE on a societal scale.
Concerning the case study I think before the girl is returned to her family some of the push factors should be addressed for example the abuse she went through. In order to help her and the family they should go to therapy and address the root cause of all the abuse and if nothing changes the abusive members to be prosecuted and the girl taken to a safe place where she can be able to grow.
Some of the factors to Consider is the girls trauma and mental state of mind, then her physical wellbeing and safety .
Absolutely perceptive and correct.
Indeed. We need to correct our wrong corners of our system and society. It is easier to lure someone who feels unawanted than one who have pillars of love and support .
What stuck out the most for me in the OSCE video was the fact that there was an acknowledgement albeit subtle that women had an enormous role to play in countering violent extremism and how the empowerment of women can help them fill this role
Absolutely right. We like to think that this presents an opportunity. That’s what the Engaging Borders platform is about.
Thank you for these insights.