Deradicalization in the Context of Islam: A Counter Extremism Measure within the Framework of the IGAD
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Date
2016-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Individuals or groups pass through radicalization then violent extremism stages before they become terrorists. Islamic extremism/radicalism is a political ideology employed for non-religious ends. The research aimed at identifying counterterrorism mechanisms and ways of incorporating deradicalization in the IGAD framework. Data were collected from Key Informants and documents. Through thematic, content and comparative analyses, the finding showed that IGAD and its member States hardly adopt deradicalization but for Sudan. The ISSP is to launch a Center of Excellence for CVE to counter extremism and facilitate inter/intra faith dialogues. Background-factors leading to radicalization are perceived/real grievances resulted from social, economic, political, historical and personal experiences. Principles of AfSol, Human Development Theory and RJ would be appropriate approaches to counter radicalization and its factors. Deradicalization will dry out human, material, financial and moral resources of terrorism thereby weakening terrorism from its nucleus. Local mechanisms at grassroots-level would effectively address radicalization and its threats by fighting the Islamic extremist ideologies. Governments must cooperate their efforts, and share experiences and resources using the IGAD platform. Human rights and legitimate questions must get due attention. Islam must own deradicalization processes, and provide institutional and conceptual tools for countering extremism and terrorism committed under its name.
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Keywords
Deradicalization, CVE, Islamic extremism, IGAD, ISSP, Radicalization