IPRIS

By Diogo Noivo

Since 2007, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has made the kidnapping of European citizens a recurrent event. Abducted in the Maghreb and in the Sahel, Europeans have become an important source of revenues for the terrorist organization. In fact, AQIM's habit of releasing the hostages after the payment of a ransom made the organization look more like an criminal enterprise (that aims for profit) than a terrorist group (that sees financial resources as a mean, not as an end). This idea was strengthened by the fact that AQIM is deeply involved in trafficking tobacco, drugs and other goods throughout the region. However, if doubts existed about AQIM true nature, the execution of Michel Germaneau (a 78-year-old French aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger in April) certainly re-centered attentions.

Among other aspects, Germaneau's assassination is another strong evidence that AQIM – which, for the most part, is still the old Algerian Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication et Combat (GSPC) – is definitely moving south and already established a strong foothold in the Sahel region. The visit started today by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to Mauritania, Mali and Niger demonstrates that France is well aware of this geostrategic shift. Kouchner's international road tour was accompanied by strong statements at home. Prime Minister François Fillon said that the fight against terrorism is going to strengthen, particularly against AQIM, and President Nicolas Sarkozy said that the crime will not go unpunished.

France's commitment in the region may force the European Union to rethink the way it approaches the Maghreb, especially with regard to EU's Neighborhood Policy. When dealing with North African countries, the EU tends to limit its contacts and negotiations to local political officials, disregarding social groups and their grievances. Despite the specificities of jihadist terrorism, it can not survive without a constituency. Therefore, gaining the genuine support of local citizens is a key element in fighting AQIM. With regard to the Sahel, perhaps highlighting the ethno-racial divide within AQIM (African recruits are kept outside leadership roles, which are held by Arabs) may help to debunk the organization's southern venture.

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There are several reasons that justify Portugal’s lack of attention towards the Jihadist phenomenon. However, this is not to say that possible Jihadist activity is inexistent. In fact, apart from unclear situations that might conceal a Jihadist intent, there are a number of public cases where known Jihadists have arrived and spent time in Portugal. Still, no evidence of terrorist behaviour was ever discovered. Furthermore, it is not clear what the purpose of their permanence in the country was. Still, it is possible to detect in the few cases that occurred in Portugal some similarities with the Jihadist reality found in Europe.

See Diogo Noivo, "Jihadism in Portugal: Grasping a Nebulous Reality" (Real Instituto Elcano, ARI No. 113, July 2010).