Al-Shabaab in Somalia: The History and Ideology of a Militant Islamist Group

by Stig Jarle Hansen

Since early 2007 a new breed of combatants has appeared on the streets of Mogadishu and other towns in Somalia: the 'Shabaab', or youth, the only self-proclaimed branch of al-Qaeda to have gained acceptance (and praise) from Ayman al-Zawahiri and 'AQ centre' in Afghanistan. Itself an offshoot of the Islamic Courts Union, which split in 2006, Shabaab has imposed Sharia law and is also heavily influenced by local clan structures within Somalia itself. It remains an infamous and widely discussed, yet little-researched and understood, Islamist group. Hansen's remarkable book attempts to go beyond the media headlines and simplistic analyses based on alarmist or localist narratives and, by employing intensive field research conducted within Somalia, as well as on the ground interviews with Shabaab leaders themselves, explores the history of a remarkable organisation, one that has survived predictions of its collapse on several occasions. Hansen portrays al-Shabaab as a hybrid Islamist organization that combines a strong streak of Somali nationalism with the rhetorical obligations of international jihadism, thereby attracting a not insignificant number of foreign fighters to its ranks. Both these strands of Shabaab have been inadvertently boosted by Ethiopian, American and African Union attempts to defeat it militarily, all of which have come to nought.

Genres: Nonfiction, Africa, History, Somalia, Islam, Terrorism, War

195 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Alex Linschoten · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the history of the Somali al-Shabab group, one with many lessons or reminders of Afghanistan (at least for this reader).

This is a short book, based on some reports written for FFI and others, and in that it has the virtue of concision. Hansen covers al-Shabab's history starting with early proto-Islamist movements and groups started several decades ago. It was the best explanation of where the networks that make up al-Shabab come from that I've read, although it may just be that I haven't been following this too closely.

There are lots of names and places, and if you're not familiar with at least the bare outlines of the plot so far as well as some of the key players, you might find it confusing. I wish there was some sort of reference in the back to allow you to keep track of all the different people mentioned.

As always, I wasn't really sure I got a sense of the leaders of al-Shabab (or their fighters) as people in this book, but maybe that's one step too far and one in which it's harder to offer anything that isn't highly subjective or just unrepresentative. Perhaps we can look forward to a book of al-Shabab's songs and poems from Hurst in the future?

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delving into Al-Shabaab, the infamous somalian jihadist fundamentalist group, is interesting because it shows how radicalism can gangrene even Muslim countries those Islam is alien to wahhabism and takfirism, let alone a brutal application of the Sharia. Indeed, Stig Jarle Hansen's short but sharp book is very useful in demonstrating how local politics particular to a country (here, the fall of the Islamic Courts Union and the following Ethiopian occupation and its consequences for Somalia) when conflagrating with global currents (the events in Afghanistan, Irak and else) can make for a dangerous cocktail serving a sick yet threatening ideology.

Sure, Al-Shabaab has now lost most of its territorial power and seems to be in a desperate state of decline, especially considering that the focus has since then shifted to other parts of the world. But, understanding its history, internal struggles and rise to prominence is itself a lesson on how such destabilizing groups can gain momentum in the first place. Terrorism is not a threat only to the West, it wrecks havoc within Muslim countries too. This sharp analysis illustrates it perfectly well.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book by the recent actions of Al-Shabaab in Kenya. A pregnant alumna from my University was slain by these terrorists. I had heard of Al-Shabaab before, but never had their actions so affected or saddened me. I wanted to understand the set of beliefs that can allow a group to rationalize such widespread slaughter of innocents. Hansen's study of Al-Shabaab taught me nearly everything I could have wanted to know about them.

I was chilled to the core upon reading this quote from an Al-Shabaab leader, "'no one doubts that jihad should be waged inside Kenya.'" How prophetic this seems now. I would recommend this book to anyone that seeks a broader understanding than the superficial facts dispensed by the media.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

While very well researched, this book aimed at those who already have an understanding of al Shabaab and who its key players are.

[Dirk-Heine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and easy to read but well researched overview of what al-Shabaab is.