Terrorism in Africa could be one of the newest forms of crime which intelligence teams, military forces and governments in Africa are now faced with.
Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Libya, Somalia and the rest of affected countries have been fighting various militant groups in Africa, key militia men being Al Shabaab jihadists based in Somalia and Islamic insurgents Boko Haram rooted in West Africa.
Founded in 2002, Boko Haram started spreading messages against Western education in Nigeria, receiving funding from private donors, kidnap ransoms and black market dealings. It is also being funded through another militia group, al-Qaeda.
Through the times, these Nigerian bases insurgents have diversified their forms of attacks and in March, the group pledged its allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The group is now focused on expanding its territories despite being faced by Nigeria military.
In East Africa, Somali insurgent group Al Shabaab have been conducting atrocities in major towns and in some cases, these groups have shifted their focus to other targets.
See also: Nigerian Army Arrest Boko Haram Fuel Supplier, Free 260 Captives
Al Shabaab is believed to be making money through illegal money transfers (Hawalas), selling of illegal charcoal, illegal sale of ivory tusks and smuggling of sugar.
Intelligence teams in Kenya are now calling on countries, individuals and organizations working with these groups in making these illegal revenue to stop such trade.
Terrorism in Africa cannot be successful without funding and man power, say Intelligence experts. These are the key tools used by these militia groups in luring young men into joining global terror groups. Once they have the numbers, they spread their propaganda through videos, social media accounts and fake alerts in proving their relevance and prowess.
Brilliant brains, children, women and young men have been able to cross over to Somalia, including foreign fighters, most of which are suspected to be from Britain.
Intelligence teams believe these fighters are loyal to the group since they continuously receive funding. If institutions, individuals and organizations funding these groups are done away with, then counter-terrorism in Africa against these Mujahideen could help in this security problem.
Security system in Kenya is currently beefed up with police deployed at strategic joints which intelligence teams believe are prone to terror attacks.
