The Resurgence of Islamic Extremist Groups in Sub-Saharan Africa : Implications on Regional and International Security

Since the African continent emerged as the new front for extremist groups, a proliferation of groups driven by extremist Islamic ideology took shape across Sub-Saharan Africa. The policies designed to counter the threats of extremist groups through the use of force has not been effectively supported by national and international efforts to contain the socioeconomic and sociopolitical challenges confronting the poor and vulnerable communities of Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper distinctively argues that the growth of extremist groups in Sub-Saharan Africa is largely due to the defeat of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda and. dismantling of safe heavens in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East (Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Saudi Arabia), poverty, political instability and corruption and the threats to religious values and ideology. The paper examines these factors and proposes prescriptive policy measures required to contain threats of extremist groups across Sub-Saharan Africa