Covert Operations, British Views of Islam and Anglo-Sanusi Relations in North Africa, 1940–45

Thompson, Todd M.

doi:10.1080/03086530903010392

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Liquidating the movement did not extinguish the message, however. Sanusiyya resistance again flared up during the intrigues of the Second World War, with the Allies managing to play upon divisions to suppress those sympathetic to the Axis powers (Thompson 2009). …”

Section: Co-equating Islam With Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, such practices put in place the structures that allow the flow of contraband that does. Even before decolonisation, officials admitted their inability to control smuggling (Arditi 2003, Thompson 2009). After independence, when rebellions, civil wars and insurgencies created new demands, insurgents took an active hand in the illicit trade, both as the suppliers and buyers of weapons, ammunition, vehicles and other supplies (Pierre and Quandt 1995, Lecocq and Schrijver 2007, Guichaoua 2009).…”

Section: Governed Spaces: the Sahel And Saharamentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In terms of collective threats, European powers in the Sahara (French, English and Italian) recognised one by the early 1900s, a movement whose ideology traced back to the Mahdist uprising in the Sudan (Thompson 2009). The Sanusiyya, a subgroup of Salafists, preached a pan-Islamic doctrine and advocated the use of violence against foreigners.…”

Section: Co-equating Islam With Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In the Sahara and its fringes Africans watched warily as Europeans arrived with motorised transport, advanced weaponry, and troops from far-off lands. Even the benign introduction of animal vaccinations and cement wells (to name but a few innovations) served to maintain order and justify foreign dominion (Bernus 1981, Rainero 1980, Thompson 2009). Upon independence the coloniser left and was replaced with other foreign actors.…”

Section: Foreigner-african Encountersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Abductions, kidnappings and killings in the Sahel and Sahara

Graham

Charles²

2011

Review of African Political Economy

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Hostage-takings in North and West Africa are nothing new. What is new is the assigning of blame to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the level of resources Western powers commit to fighting AQIM and other extremists in the region. History shows that the simplified ill-defined fear of a united Islamic front against the West was unfounded. Today, however, Westerners continue to view the motivations behind such actions without considering three fundamental issues. First, who should, or can, effectively ‘govern’ the Sahara and its fringes. Second, by defining the problems as a rising pan-Islamic front, the implementation of hard-power tactics is not questioned. Finally, any consideration of the long-term disparities in the region is postponed in lieu of dealing with hostage-takings or attacks on Western targets. In reality the Sahara and Sahel are contested territories. Ideological and personal divisions are numerous. AQIM and other Jihadi Salafist movements are not popular with the regions' inhabitants. Most practice Sufi forms of Islam which are distant from such extremism. There is little attention to identifying the problems of poverty, creating state integration, and solving the problems that arise from foreign intervention. With the agenda of national leaders and/or international actors focusing on fighting terrorism or mineral resource extraction, a few inhabitants in the region kidnap foreign nationals for ideological reasons, quick money or both. The potential for hostage-taking for money is, at best, a tenuous strategy for the few.

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Section: Co-equating Islam With Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 97%