From Ideology to Action: Analyzing Rapoport’s Terrorism Framework in the Context of Al-Shabaab’s Evolving Extremist Ideology in the Horn of Africa

This study examines the evolution of Al-Shabaab's extremist ideology in the Horn of Africa through David Rapoport's Four Waves of Terrorism framework.It aims to analyze the persistent influence of Al-Shabaab amidst counterinsurgency efforts, highlighting the interplay between local grievances and global jihadist narratives.Through an ideological analysis of secondary sources, the research reveals that Al-Shabaab merges Somali nationalism with global jihadist ideologies, framing its struggle as both a local defense against foreign intervention and part of Islamic movement.This dual narrative is crucial for sustaining recruitment and operational resilience, illustrating the complexities of contemporary terrorism in the region.