Abstract

DIAS, Alexandra Magnólia. The trajectory of an Islamist movement in Somalia (2006-2010). Relações Internacionais [online]. 2010, n.26, pp.83-93. ISSN 1645-9199.

This article offers an analysis of the trajectory of an Islamist movement in Somalia and of the insurrection. The article focuses on the various Islamist militant organisations which comprise the insurrection. The article aims to testing the applicability of social movement theory to understanding Islamist militant organisations in Somalia. In this context, the transformation of the Islamist militant organisation Al-Shabaab and its inclusion in the US list of terrorist organisations, since 2008, will be of particular importance. The central argument highlights the importance of avoiding this type of classification. According to Gunning, the classification of an organisation with the characteristics of Al-Shabaab as an extremist Islamist militant organisation rather than its classification as a terrorist organisation fosters analytical fluidity because it enables to consider those inclusivist elements within the organisation and those more permeable to a strategy of accommodation and de-radicalization.

Keywords : Political Islam; Islamist militant movement; salafi inspired jihad; mujaheedin.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )