The Salient Need to Develop New Understanding: An Analysis of Approaches to Transnational Terrorism [TT], Armed Conflict, and Fragility in African States

Transnational Terrorism (TT) poses a significant and growing threat to national, regional and international security, with dire implications for public safety, public health, democratic institutions, and economic stability across the globe. Not only are criminal networks expanding, but they also are diversifying their activities, resulting in the convergence of threats that were once distinct and today have explosive and destabilizing effects. Transnational Terrorism [TT] has grown and its tentacles have extended along various border lines in African national territories affecting the peace and stability of Africa and its populace. Equally, it has led to the proliferation of armed weaponry and trade in arms or weapons with profiteers now finding an operational ground in the African states. Thus, the common place of armed conflicts and fragility on the African territorial space. Viewed from this perspective, this paper sets out to examine the evil troika of TT, armed conflict and fragility in African states. And, it argues that while attention is being paid analytically to the opportunistic environment that armed conflict and fragility create for TT, this is not translating into effective response strategies. In order for that to happen, experts need to better understand the dynamics between these forces, and space must be provided within the policy debate to consider the interrelationships and how to address them.