Sub-Saharan Africa: economic precariousness, a major factor in rallying to extremist groups according to the UNDP

Members of an armed group in Kidal, Mali, July 13, 2016 (photo illustration).

SOULEYMANE AG ANARA / AFP

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The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) publishes this Tuesday, February 7 a report on the logics at work in the rise of extremist violence in sub-Saharan Africa, more particularly the process of joining extremist groups.

The economic situation is the main motivation to enlist.

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The latest report from the United Nations Development Program looks at “ 

 ” of extremist armed groups in sub-Saharan Africa.

It is the second of its kind, following a first report on the drivers of extremism in 

 . of the planet, note the UNDP researchers.

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They interviewed 2,200 people in eight sub-Saharan African countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan.

Among them, more than a thousand have been part of a violent extremist group, voluntarily or not;

25% of former volunteer recruits cite the lack of job opportunities as the number one reason for joining an extremist group.

Unemployment is not in itself a vector of membership, but economic precariousness, material difficulties, push people to enlist.

Religion is the third most cited motivation.

The drivers of recruitment

Joining an extremist group can be played out very early, from childhood.

A child's living conditions, his “happiness”, have a significant impact on his chances of eventually joining a violent group.

The presence and involvement of parents is decisive.

Education, even basic, is also a brake on extremist excesses.

All other things being equal, an additional year of schooling reduces the risk of voluntary enlistment by 13%.

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Religious education also has a role to play: volunteer recruits are generally less cultured in this area, do not read the texts directly, but rely on intermediate sources.

According to the report, education and religious culture are crucial in resisting extremism.

Compared to the results of 2017, UNDP notes a deterioration in trust in institutions and the state.

In some areas, armed groups precisely fill in the gaps by providing services normally provided by the state.

In Mali, 70% of former recruits emphasize the role of these groups in mediating local conflicts.

How to get out?

77% of recruits who chose to leave extremist groups say they were disappointed and disillusioned.

The practices (murders of civilians in particular) and the ideology of these groups are at the origin of the voluntary departures.

40% also cite amnesty programs implemented by governments.

The proliferation of armed groups, the progression of insecurity and instability in certain areas threaten development, recalls the UNDP.

The report also targets militarized solutions to violent extremism:

 .”

The organization defends preventive approaches which suffer, according to it, from a cruel lack of investment.

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• Terrorism

• UN

• mali

• Burkina Faso

• Niger

• Sudan

• Somalia

• Nigeria

• Chad

• Cameroon