Countering Terrorism In East Africa

The U.S. government has implemented a range of programs to counter violent extremist threats in East Africa in response to Al Qaeda's bombing of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998 and subsequent transnational terrorist activity in the region. These programs include regional and bilateral efforts, both military and civilian. The programs seek to build regional intelligence, military, law enforcement, and judicial capacities; strengthen aviation, port, and border security; stem the flow of terrorist financing; and counter the spread of extremist ideologies. Contents of this report: Overview; The Transnational Terrorist Threat in East Africa; The U.S. Response; Regional Programs; Bilateral Programs. Map and tables. A print on demand report.

This book offers a comparative analysis of counter-terrorism law and practice in the East African Community, including compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. Bailey offers legal reform recommendations to achieve better compliance with international legal obligations.

As a direct result of globalization and expanded economic opportunity, the last half century has yielded the most remarkable exodus from poverty in human history. Regrettably, not all have benefitted equally. No more somber example of this continued disparity can be found than in sub-Saharan Africa -- a region plagued by a myriad of security and development challenges, from the spread of infectious disease, to small arms trafficking, to terrorism. This report hones in on the Eastern Africa subregion and proposes a ¿whole of society¿ approach that seeks to better leverage existing resources, identify new streams of assistance, and bridge the divide between security and development. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

Terrorism in East Africa has remained a concern of the United States since 1998, when al Qaeda bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As part of its efforts to address this threat, State launched PREACT in 2009 as a program for long-term engagement and capacity building in East Africa. PREACT -- which focuses on countering terrorist threats, including al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate based in Somalia -- is managed by State's Bureau of African Affairs and provides assistance in a region composed of 12 partner countries. GAO was asked to examine PREACT, including (1) the role it plays in U.S. counterterrorism assistance to East Africa, (2) the extent to which funds allocated for PREACT since 2009 have been disbursed, and (3) the extent to which State considers key factors in managing PREACT. GAO reviewed agency documents and interviewed U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., and in Germany, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

The greatest terrorist threat in East Africa currently emanates from Somalia. This country, which has lacked a stable government since 1991, created the environment that provided a safe haven for al Qaeda and led to the rise of al Shabaab. Between 1998 and 2012, when the latest data were available, there were 334 terrorist attacks by either al Qaeda or al Shabaab in East Africa, with the vast majority occurring in Somalia. The United States designated al Qaeda as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in October 1999 and designated al Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March 2008. Other violent organizations, such as the Lord's Resistance Army, are also active in East Africa but have not been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by State.

"Examines the state of governance in the countries of the greater Horn of Africa region--Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, and Yemen--and discusses strategies to combat the transnational threat of terrorism, including suggestions for more effective U.S. engagement in the region"--Provided by publisher.

COMBATING TERRORISM: State Department Can Improve Management of East Africa Program