Marisa at Making Sense of Jihad dug something out of her archives.
In June 2006, Sada al-Jihad (Echo of Jihad), a Saudi-based jihad periodical, published an article by Al Qaeda strategist, Abu Azzam al-Ansari, exploring the possibility and advantages of a strategy for Africa. The following table summarizes the 13 advantages:Posted on 05 April 2009 @ 16:26 GMTAl-Ansari's 13 Advantages to Expanding Al Qaeda Operation1 “Jihadi doctrines” are well entrenched in most predominantly Muslim countries. This jihadi expansion has old roots in many of the African countries.
2 The general chaos and corruption found throughout the continent which eases “the ability of the Mujahidin to move and plan and organize themselves…”
3 Tribal and geopolitical conflicts produce “groups and individuals willing to heroically [sacrifice] themselves.”
4 [Similar to #2]
5 General chaotic conditions “provide [a] huge amount of weapons and military equipment easy to obtain…”
6 Western interests use Africa’s “maritime routes” to transfer weapons and equipment” and “use these routes to shift oil to the rest of the world. Targeting these routes will be fatal for the Crusaders…”
7 “Africa is also one of the closer routes to Palestine…”
8 Africa’s poverty offers opportunities to offer “finance and welfare” programs.
9 Educated Africans could be recruited for the jihad.
10 Africa’s large Muslim population is predominantly Sufi, a group considered to be easier to work with than “any other trend, such as the Shi’is or the Communists.”
11 Specific local conflicts pit “true Muslims against rivals, including the “potential of the renewal of the conflict in Egypt.”
12 “Another advantage is he links to Europe through North Africa, what eases the move from there to carry out attacks.”
13 “Africa is rich in economic sources, oil and raw materials. This is very useful for the Mujahidin in the medium and long term.