POLITICAL EXCLUSION AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN AFRICA

Abstract

Many scholars have noted the prevalence of domestic terrorism in Africa and elsewhere. Scholars argue that ethnically motivated terrorism is caused by problems of political exclusion, and many nation-states have alienated distinct ethnic groups, even under domestic constitutions and practices. This study examines whether the exclusion of ethnic groups from political power is an important contributing factor to domestic terrorism. If political exclusion causes ethnic terrorism, can reforms promoting greater ethnic inclusion and democracy reduce risks of terrorism? Global concern over terrorism and how to reduce the severity of terrorist attacks have been growing. Although much attention has been focused on transnational terrorist events, most recorded terrorist activities tend to be fully domestic, and often tied to groups with claims against their home government. Previous studies have shown that ethnic exclusion and restricted political access can motivate civil war, and evidence indicates that ethnic accommodation and political reform can reduce the risk of civil war. The same logic should apply to ethnic terrorism as well. This line of research is to examine whether political inclusion can reduce terrorism by lessoning motivation and expanding opportunities for alternative actions. This goes beyond the question of whether ethnic groups that are excluded/included engage in more/fewer terrorist attacks, and examine whether resort to terrorism by the group decline after inclusion.