Understanding Recruitment and Radicalisation Dynamics in Tanzania

This project enhances understanding of domestic Tanzanian recruitment and radicalisation dynamics as well as regional influences, especially in the Zanzibar archipelago and Tanga city.

Flag and country outline of Tanzania | Wikimedia Creative Commons

Introduction

Drawing from previous needs assessments, context analyses and research on drivers of recruitment in the East Africa region, RUSI is conducting a study on conflict and violent extremism dynamics that drive radicalisation and recruitment into extremist activity and groups in Tanzania. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam and seeks to provide recommendations for future support and mitigative interventions.

While the research aims to focus on the Zanzibar islands and the city of Tanga, extremist links across the country will be explored, and further situated in the regional context by exploring financial, ideological and tactical links between extremist actors in Tanzania and the wider Great lakes, East Africa and Horn of Africa region.

Flag and country outline of Tanzania | Wikimedia Creative Commons

Aims and objectives

The project aims to contribute meaningfully to the UK Government’s understanding of current conflict and radicalization dynamics in Tanzania and its links with broader regional activity, and to propose insights into future support strategies and potential P/CVE programming to HMG and other international partners.

This aim is guided by three objectives:

Enhance understanding by analysing conflict and VE dynamics in Tanzania, particularly Tanga, Zanzibar and Pemba Island.
Examine regional links between radicalisation and recruitment in Tanzania and their contribution to broader terrorist activity in the African Great Lakes and East Africa regions.
Propose potential intervention and support strategies. By drawing on evidence from similar contexts and identifying gaps in contemporary responses to VE in Tanzania.