The Nexus of Politics, Religion, and Violent Extremism

The Impact of Politico-Religious Extremist and Militia Violent Groups on Peace and Development in Africa

Abstract

This study explores the impact of politico-religious extremist armed militia groups in Africa. Armed groups in Africa have caused destruction of both life and property, resulting in underdevelopment and making it difficult to engage in profitable and meaningful development and peace due to conflict. All regions in Africa have been affected by these armed groups; Al-Shabaab in East Africa, armed conflicts in Sudan, Uganda’s Joseph Kony in Central Africa, Boko Haram in West Africa, and ISIS in North Africa, among others, are both religiously and politically connected. These groups, driven by their ideologies of conflict and deep theological conceptions of a hermeneutical nature, claim either to fight for God or against those opposed to their ideologies. They assert that they have been excluded from democratic political processes or religious participation, leading to leadership struggles where a minority, or majority, group seems to be sidelined in political governance or religious recognition. Politico-religious conflicts have left behind destruction, including murder, loss of property, underdevelopment, insecurity, and food scarcity, among others.