What Is the Extent of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Where Does It Derive Its Strength in the Sahelian-Saharan Region: A Case Study of Northern Mali

Abstract

This last decade has seen the Sahelian-Saharan region being reported by the media as the new sanctuary of the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Northern Mali, located in the western part of the Sahelian-Saharan region, is regularly cited as being a sanctuary for terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda since it has one of the world's largest ungoverned spaces. The Government of Mali is attempting to develop and implement a regional strategy to deal with this challenge. The overall purpose of this thesis is to analyze the phenomenon and then make recommendations for a comprehensive strategy to deal with it. The thesis presents a qualitative case study comparing AQIM with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia or FARC). It also analyzes the cultural similarities of northern Mali with Somalia, and assesses the geographic and human aspects of the Sahelian-Saharan region that make it conducive to the establishment of AQIM. The thesis analyzes the FARC and AQIM through the analytical framework used in the 2007 RAND study on "Ungoverned Territories." RAND's analytical framework includes the variables of ungovernability and conduciveness. The importance of kinship relationship in Somalia supported the emergence of another variable called "Fortified Relationships." The variables were used to do an analysis of AQIM's center of gravity. The conduciveness variables constitute AQIM's center of gravity critical capabilities and "Fortified Relationships" constitute its critical vulnerabilities. This emergent variable of "Fortified Relationships" seems to be a critical factor, at least in an African context, and warrants further study.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 08, 2012
Accession Number
ADA562987

Entities

People

  • Mohamed Al Moustapha Toure

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Counterterrorism
  • Employment
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Geography
  • Insurgency
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Societies
  • Sociology
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.

Technology Areas

  • Space