Preventing and countering violent extremism in Africa: The role of the mining sector

Summary

Terrorism and violent extremism remain significant threats to international peace and security. Although few countries have been immune, Africa has been particularly susceptible. Weak institutions, porous borders, inadequately trained or ill-equipped security forces, historical grievances and a lack of economic opportunities have created conditions for extremist ideologies to grow and persist in parts of the continent. To date, most counterterrorism efforts have been security and intelligence led, with an emphasis on military and kinetic strategies to ‘defeat’ terrorism. Over the past decade in particular, global efforts have also focused on strategies for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), particularly on the role of international institutions, governments, regional organisations and communities. While several international frameworks for counterterrorism, for example the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, have recognised the important role of the private sector in prevention measures, there’s been little research and analysis exploring the specificity and mechanisms of private sector involvement. This report by ASPI, in cooperation with Hedayah, uses a case study of the mining sector in Africa to examine how the private sector does and can engage in P/CVE efforts. As the second-largest continent, Africa is richly endowed with mineral reserves: it’s estimated to hold 30% of the world’s mineral resources.1 African nations with significant mining activity rely heavily on the sector for fiscal revenue. Given the size of the continent, much of which hasn’t been comprehensively explored for mineral reserves, the footprint of the mining sector in Africa is positioned to grow. At the same time, mining projects in Africa have been targets for violent extremist groups and are negatively influenced by the security situation in their countries of operation. Mining companies may be operating in geographically remote locations, be viewed as foreign (or often ‘Western’) actors, be engaged in cross-border supply chains, and provide a gateway for illicit financial flows, particularly in countries that lack consistent governance and political stability. Mining projects also have the potential to both exacerbate and mitigate some of the known drivers of violent extremism. For instance, mining companies can act as catalysts for economic growth and community resilience by providing employment and supply-chain opportunities for local businesses, investing in social and economic infrastructure, engaging communities in an inclusive manner from the earliest stages of mining projects, and working with community organisations to support trainee and entrepreneurship programs. Fiscal revenues from mining projects also provide the opportunity for prudential investments in critical infrastructure and essential services. On the other hand, the environmental and social impacts of mining can disrupt the livelihoods of local communities, displace local peoples and aggravate grievances over land rights—all of which can exacerbate the drivers of violent extremism in areas where there are communities at risk of recruitment and radicalisation. For mining companies, some risk-management strategies are already in place: the mining sector has supported the development of international standards and good practice frameworks for human rights, good governance, stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to help to reduce social risk and enhance opportunities for inclusive development. However, when it comes to the role of the private sector in P/CVE, a more targeted approach is required. 6 PREVENTING AND COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN AFRICA:: THE ROLE OF THE MINING SECTOR This report draws on a combination of desktop and field research covering four case-study countries in Africa— Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and Mali—to identify the intersections between the mining sector and the drivers of violent extremism in sub-Saharan Africa. While the report is not comprehensive in covering all potential areas of intersection, it offers a starting point for a conversation between relevant parties on how the mining sector may play a role in P/CVE in Africa.

Keywords

mining sector, private sector, P/CVE, Africa, violent extremism, extractives, corporate engagement

Preview