Inter-Secular Party Competition and the (Non-)Formation of Salafi-Jihadist Milieus: Evidence from Tanzania and Kenya

Jannis Saalfeld

Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 2024, vol. 47, issue 2, 181-198

Abstract: This article investigates whether inter-secular party competition can constrain the formation of Salafi-jihadist milieus. Focusing on the recent rise of militant Islamism in sub-Saharan Africa, I argue that the electoral process prevents the opening of political space for jihadist radicalization when Salafi contention has historically become aligned with salient non-Islamist grievances. Specifically, I hypothesize that based on this alignment, the competitive electoralization of non-Islamist grievances incentivizes Salafi movements to endorse the electoral process and support secular parties. The article explores the validity of these propositions with the help of a “most-similar” case study of Zanzibar (Tanzania) and coastal Kenya.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/1057610X.2021.1945187

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