The United Nations has released several reports on terrorism, extremism, and armed radicalism, which have been manifested in threats to vulnerable parts of the globe. In Africa, these groups are now recruiting once again, with terrorist movements and armed organizations that have adopted new financing methods, acquired advanced weaponry, and threaten the local population. They are adding youths to their ranks and establishing parallel economies that compete with the shattered states of the countries they are based in.
The report was issued a few weeks ago by the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Office of Counter-Terrorism, and the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team. It is brimming with insights for radicalism researchers and experts around the world. Acknowledging defeats and the so-called “fall of strongholds” does not imply that the threat posed by these extremist groups has been eradicated.
The report points to two unresolved issues, among others. These groups have maintained their ability to receive financing and recruit, and the other is a humanitarian issue.
These questions were evident in the dilemma of how to deal with the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, especially in the areas controlled by Syrian opposition groups, where living conditions are extremely dire.
One issue that had been awaiting resolution before the earthquake: the return of the families of foreign fighters and their children (about 70,000 only in northern Syria, and tens of thousands of fighters are in prison) to their countries of origin. This issue remains unsolved because of the reluctance of some European countries to acknowledge the problem and the haughtiness they have shown in refusing to bear responsibility for their people.
The problem with how we are approaching the return of armed terrorism and extremist organizations is that a fundamental question is being overlooked. Is the ability of these organizations to establish a presence in and penetrate these countries a cause or a consequence?!
Looking into how German philosopher Fredrich Nietzsche conceptualized change through his notion of the “eternal return” can deepen our understanding of the resurgence of terrorist activity and armed action that follows announcements of their eradication.
This constant resurgence can be explained by the fact that the fundamental reasons for it are being overlooked. These include the receding legitimacy of the state, rising political instability, and the fact that the economies of countries cannot ensure the basic needs of their people.
We have also seen leaders of armed groups roam the streets of the devastated areas in Syria, exploiting the earthquake to play the role of authority figures. Meanwhile, we still have many reasons to object to the Damascus regime and its handling of the crisis, especially its role in hindering the transport of international aid across its borders.
These organizations change their skin very swiftly. This starts with announcements of new leaders. ISIS, for example, was quick to announce that Qurashi had replaced Hashemi.
Their ability to be mercurial also allows them to remain afloat financially as well. Despite the global limitations on money laundering and financial transfers, they have maintained their ability to garner large sums of money through their royalties and parallel economies. Indeed, ISIS managed to generate 60 million dollars, a figure that does not include the immense sums that are digitally encrypted, with these organizations rushing to make use of these technologies because of their flexibility.
In terms of weaponry, armed organizations and terrorist groups that have used Africa to reemerge are trying to understand the major shifts in its wars. Anyone following the content published on the platforms, forums, and blogs of the “extremist camp” (they are very numerous and widespread and use various encrypted websites) would notice the degree of attention given to drones and new arms.
Humanitarian issues are also largely overlooked by these functional reports. However, the major crises that the world is undergoing, including natural disasters, raise serious moral and humanitarian questions. Indeed, these areas have been devastated by acts of nature and the man-made calamities engendered by terrorist organizations, the frailty of the regime, the lack of stability, and the collapse of the economy.
Neither the UN nor the international community has a clear vision for how to support the victims, the innocent residents of those areas who are often voluntarily or involuntarily conscripted through intellectual or financial motives.
Such a step cannot be taken before we see the emergence of an international and regional vision founded on cooperation and interdependence. While we did see something of this sort after the earthquake, we also saw a failure to address the conditions of the communities threatened by terrorism in normal circumstances. This has had catastrophic consequences and added burdens to resolving crises and disasters.
These burdens were reflected in the reluctance of many humanitarian organizations to enter conflict areas because of fears for the safety over their relief crews. Other implications include the spread of chaos, the looting of aid, and mass prison breaks in times of disaster.
All of this neglect and silence leaves us constantly starting from scratch and, over time, turns regions of the world into hotbeds of violence and the export of recurrent crises akin to Nietzsche’s “eternal return!”
