Salafism and Political Order in Africa

Violent Islamic extremism is a growing threat in sub-Saharan Africa, with some countries having established homegrown jihadi Salafi organizations. This book by Sebastian Elischer establishes a causal link between state-imposed organizational gatekeepers and the absence of homegrown jihadi Salafism, challenging conventional notions of statehood and providing new insight into the evolving relationships between secular and religious authority.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing the detrimental impact of violent Islamic extremism, with jihadi Salafi organizations establishing footholds and posing persistent security threats in certain regions. While some countries have successfully prevented the formation or curbed the spread of homegrown jihadi Salafi groups, others face challenges in addressing this issue. In his book, Sebastian Elischer conducts a comparative analysis of how different West and East African states have engaged with fundamentalist Muslim groups between the 1950s and the present. Through this analysis, Elischer establishes a causal link between state-imposed organizational gatekeepers in the Islamic sphere and the absence of homegrown jihadi Salafism. He demonstrates that the contemporary manifestation of violent Islamic extremism in sub-Saharan Africa is a result of strategic political decisions that are deeply rooted in countries with autocratic pasts. By challenging conventional notions of statehood on the African continent, Elischer offers valuable insights into the evolving relationships between secular and religious authority. This book is a crucial contribution to understanding the complex dynamics of religious extremism in sub-Saharan Africa and its implications for regional and global security.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108739276