Westgate represents Africa's Somali malaise

This research paper analyzes the security implications of the Westgate attacks in Nairobi, arguing that Kenya's military intervention in Somalia and the broader regional instability facilitate radicalism. It highlights the tension between East Africa's economic growth and its fragility, suggesting that long-term stability requires inclusive, home-grown political settlements rather than solely military solutions.

• Kenya's military deployment to Somalia in October 2011, which later became part of an African Union mission, failed to increase security. While Kenyan forces removed al-Shabaab from the south and Kismayo, the group transitioned to guerrilla warfare, leading to fighters dispersing into the Somali civilian population and increasing attacks within Kenya, particularly in the north east and the capital.
• East Africa is experiencing significant economic dynamism, with 2012 growth rates of 4.8% in Kenya and 7% in Ethiopia, and an overall regional growth of 5.6%. A key project, the Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), aims to link Ethiopia and South Sudan to the port of Lamu via new infrastructure, though its success depends on a stable environment free from Somali-based attacks.
• The military dominance of regional powers like Kenya and Ethiopia can hinder peace processes because their interventions may be perceived as foreign incursions with ulterior motives, which can mobilize support for groups like al-Shabaab.
• Al-Shabaab is part of a wider trend of Islamic militancy across Africa, including Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) and Boko Haram. These movements are politically motivated but sustained by illicit economic activities and criminal-political networks.
• To achieve prosperity and counter terrorism, East African nations must prioritize peace-building through regional institutions. This involves creating home-grown, inclusive political settlements that go beyond elite power-sharing to build legitimacy and trust across communities, thereby reducing the appeal of radicalization.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2013). Westgate represents Africa's Somali malaise. https://saiia.org.za/research/westgate-represents-africas-somali-malaise/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Westgate represents Africa's Somali malaise. 2013. https://saiia.org.za/research/westgate-represents-africas-somali-malaise/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Westgate represents Africa's Somali malaise |date=30 September 2013 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/westgate-represents-africas-somali-malaise/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2013westgate, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Westgate represents Africa's Somali malaise}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2013}, month = sep, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/westgate-represents-africas-somali-malaise/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }