Author(s) :

ANTHONY RUFUS, PhD.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Abstract This article critically examines terrorism in Africa through a historically grounded, decolonial, and theoretically plural lens, drawing primarily on Critical Terrorism Studies (CTS) and Postcolonial Theory. Challenging dominant narratives that frame African terrorism solely as religious extremism, irrational violence, or criminality, the study situates political violence within broader contexts of postcolonial state formation, hybrid governance, and contested legitimacy. Using a qualitative, interpretivist methodology, the research employs case studies from Nigeria, Somalia, Mali, the Sahel, the DRC, and Kenya to explore the interactions between state fragility, structural marginalization, and insurgent activity. The analysis reveals that terrorism in African contexts often functions as a form of political negotiation and resistance where formal institutions have failed or reproduced coercion. The article further translates these insights into operational policy strategies, emphasizing community-based conflict resolution, legal reform, hybrid governance inclusion, socio-economic interventions, regional coordination, and restorative political dialogue. It concludes by advocating for a decolonial reframing that centers African histories, challenges Western epistemic dominance, and promotes inclusive, accountable, and contextually grounded approaches to security and governance.

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