Many events come to the light of current affairs, and at the same time they suddenly disappear from it, based on the interests and pursuits of those who dominate them. Ever since countries that were previously conquered by Western powers (eg Iraq, Syria) and terrorist attacks on crowded Western targets have stopped, we have stopped hearing anything about the Islamic State (ISIS). Thus the impression created is that his presence has been eliminated and a significant threat to the fortunes and tranquility of Western societies no longer exists.
But the Islamic caliphate did not cease to exist with the disappearance of its remnants in Syria and with the death of its leader, Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Its pockets, however, which were established mainly in areas of Africa, still exist. And they are a serious threat. Because many believers from these places still flow in through the various waves of illegal immigration to the West, with the first gate of entry usually being Italy and especially Greece. It is remarkable that of the thousands of Africans who arrive in Europe, the vast majority are Muslims. Well, the danger to European societies remains. And especially now that the “subsidiaries” of the Islamic State are located in countries that were colonies of important Western countries.
These remnants of ISIS are called by the Islamists “sovereign vassals” and they move autonomously creating their own political facts. In the interesting new book by Jason Warner et al. “The Islamic State in Africa: The Emergence, Evolution, and Future of the Next Jihadist Battlefront” the authors examine the growth of six such Islamic enclaves and trace their course and action.
The study shows that, having declared submission to the central authorities of ISIS, they then move autonomously, with their own action plans and without any material support. However, through the seal of the Islamic State, they are facilitated in securing power and political displacement. But this suggests that the decline of the central caliphate will have no impact on the fortunes and prospects of these subsidiary enclaves. And of course they will remain, because it is in their interest, loyal to the principles and beliefs of the Caliphate. The dangers therefore for Western societies continue to lurk. And as France appears to be losing control of sub-Saharan Africa, clashes between authoritarian and corrupt local leaders and jihadist loyalists to the Islamic State will intensify. Causing instability and uncertainty throughout the region.
In another equally interesting book, Jeremy Keenan “The Dying Sahara” focuses on the misery experienced by the populations of the region due to the rise of Islamists and the resulting bloody conflicts with the authorities (pro-French or pro-American) of these countries. Leftist Keenan insists that the Tuareg revolution in Niger and Mali, as well as the rise of extremist Islamists, was caused after the “invasion”, since 2004, in the Sahel (Sub-Saharan Africa) of the United States. Of course, this explanation does not take into account the movements of the Islamic State in the region, as well as the establishment of many militant Islamic pockets.
The issue is that for Europe, as long as there are militant pockets of Islamists in Africa, the risk of terrorist activities will continue to exist. This means vigilance and attention. The Islamic State still exists and poses a threat.
