Violent extremism in Africa caused 33,300 fatalities between 2011 and 2016, reversing hard-won development gains and threatening to stunt prospects for decades to come. Yet, far less is known about the causes, consequences and trajectories informing violent extremism.

 On 17 January, the UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States will host a presentation of the report “Journey to Extremism in Africa”, which generates improved understanding about the incentives and drivers of violent extremism, as expressed by recruits to the continent’s deadliest groups themselves. The research is part of the UNDP Africa Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) project and, given its coverage of some Arab countries (Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia and Morocco), is jointly implemented with the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States.

 The report is based on a questionnaire exploring the life histories and personal perspectives on a range of personal, cultural, socio-economic and political issues administered to a sample of more than 700 individuals. These include former recruits from violent extremist groups such as Al-Qaida, ISIL, Boko Haram and Al Shabaab.