Al-Shabaab, Social Identity Group, Human (In)Security & Counterterrorism

Abstract

This paper examines the link between human security, social identity and al-Shabaab and U.S. counterterrorism towards the Somali-based group. The aim is to show how al-Shabaab feeds on the anger of marginalized individuals which is then infused with al-Shabaab interpretation of Islam as a way to recruit disgruntled individuals. Nevertheless, it appears that Al-Shabaab’s allure is in decline, leading to the author to look at the U.S. counterterrorism campaign against al-Shabaab, which involves decapitation, aggressive peacekeeping through a proxy in the shape of the African Union Mission in Somalia, and domestic de-radicalisation program.

Keywords: Al-Shabaab, Social Identity Theory, U.S. Counter-terrorism, Human Insecurity