The radical currents of Islam in Africa: Ansar ad – Din. Mali

Bobokhonov R.

Radical Islam today is active not only in Europe and Asia, but also in Africa. The radical currents of Islam under the leadership of Al Qaeda are gradually moving south of the Sahara and deep into Africa. Ansar al-Din is a prime example. The ideology of this organization is Salafi and is based on world jihad for the sake of creating the World Caliphate. The history of the interaction of the norms of “pure” and traditional Islam shows that the imposition of Salafism significantly reduces social support from the local population, and often leads to armed clashes. Our analysis shows that flexibility in the implementation of its political line, as well as well-thought-out tactics of interaction with the clans that inhabit the north of Mali, strengthens the position of Ansar al-Din in the region. Along with this, the common economic interests of the Salafists, smugglers and sheikhs of the Tuareg tribes only complicates the task of neutralizing the “Ansar’s”, who, like the Taliban in Afghanistan, have become part of local society.

Keywords:radical Islam, Ansar al-Din, Salafism, World Jihad, Mali, Tuaregs.