Terrorism Takes Root in Africa

Morgan Lorraine Roach / September 09, 2009

It is no secret that many countries in North and Sub-Saharan Africa are hotbeds for terrorism. Scotland’s release and transfer of Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi to Libya is a most recent reminder that terrorism originating in Africa is not a new phenomenon. However, the most recent arrest of Malam Abdulrasheed Abubakar, a 23 year-old Nigerian man who trained in Afghanistan for the Boko Haram (translated: Western Education is Sacrilege) militant sect is a disturbing reminder of just how far Islamic extremism has expanded in nations like Nigeria.

Recruited by Boko Haram’s leader Mohommed Yusuf, Abubakar, traveled from Nigeria to Afghanistan via South Africa to receive training in bomb making. In July, a bloody clash between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government left Yusuf and hundreds of others dead. The arrested Abubakar has confessed to his estrangement, radicalization and links to terrorist training in Afghanistan. (more…)