DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2020.v08i04.003

Pages: 175-184

Violent non-state actors (VNSAs) are individuals or groups that are wholly or partly independent of state governments that usually use violence as a means to their objective goal. VNSA’s reason for propagating violence is often informed by various factors: self-determination occasioned by suppressive regimes; right to access and control resources; land; religious and cultural ideological beliefs; perennial historical injustices; and push for self-rule among others. VNSAs play a prominent role in nearly every humanitarian and political situation within the international community. The activities of VNSA groups are complex, and if their engagements are conducted across international borders it can impact negatively on the relations and bilateral cooperation between the affected states. Harakat Al-Shabaab al-Mujahedeen commonly known as Al-Shabaab, officially pronounced in 2006 is a VNSA operating from Somalia. Al-Shabaab has been christened a terrorist group by a number of nations, especially in the western world. I recognize that acts of terrorism are inhuman, barbaric and a threat to global peace, regional harmony and mutual co-existence between nations. Acts of terrorism are often meted on the unsuspecting innocent; they instill fear of insecurity and lead to destruction of property; creates suspicion along religious divides and waters down the cordial interstates relation definitive of the modern global community. Globally, acts of terrorism have been visited on many countries including the United States of America (USA),Germany, Britain, France, Kenya and many others; and such acts have heightened suspicion, tension, clash of interests and led to disharmony between the affected nations and those perceived to sympathize, harbor, host and support acts of terrorism. There is however some disconnect in delineating acts of terrorism from those of liberation movements especially when coercive strategies apply. The thin distinguishing thread between the two ............