Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

In this paper, I shall argue the view that terrorists in West Africa require poor social situations to emerge. However, where governments of different countries are committed to changing the social condition in their states, terrorists would rarely find a compelling evidence to appeal to in West Africa. Besides, I insist that the terrorists of the West African sub-region seek to realize a goal: to establish an Islamic theocracy, and this, in spite of other possible options. For counterterrorism, the West African governments employ two different approaches: the deployment of the military, and the nonmilitary methods. Although the military option has become a necessity once the terrorists announce their presence by means of force, the nonmilitary approach depicts a far-reaching means for checkmating the terrorists proactively. The nonmilitary approach forces governments to effectively alter the poor circumstances, and put in place the requisite. By toning down the military approach, Kaldor, I shall explain, de-emphasizes the military approach.

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