ORONO, Maine — From Central and South America to Africa and Eastern Europe; and from the Middle East to Southern Asia, millions of people are suffering due to severe poverty, violent extremism and other fundamental issues. In 2019,
659 million people around the world lived below the poverty line at $2.15 per day.
Based on current trends that the World Bank tracked,
574 million people—almost 7% of the world’s population—will still be living on less than $2.15 a day in 2030. According to the World Bank, the situation is even more difficult because extreme poverty exists in “parts of the world where it will be hardest to eradicate: in sub-Saharan Africa, in conflict-affected areas, and in rural areas.”
Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism
Racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE) is a new term that encompasses people who see governance as illegitimate and are looking for some form of alternate government structure.
When taking a deeper look at these issues, there is a profound overlap of poverty, conflict and war––circumstances like these create a space for violent extremism to exist. People who feel unheard advocate for change, and unfortunately, sometimes resort to violence. They are looking for a way that their lives can be improved by some other system rather than the one that is currently in place.
The Borgen Project spoke with William Farrell, a professor at the University of Maine and a Principal Consultant at Swordfish Consulting International. “Violent extremism and conflict are manifestations of people who are frustrated and looking for a last resort,” says Farrell. “It’s not typically what people would jump to first.”
Farrell and the team at Swordfish are working globally on situation analysis, strategy formulation, impact articulation and influence mapping in fragile and transitional countries. Farrell has worked in support of emergency response in Sudan and has conducted field research in large parts of the Sahel, Caucasus and Central Asia for concrete ways in which development assistance can be used in countering violent extremism, building stability and supporting national cohesion.
Global Terrorism Index
The Vision of Humanity created a
Global Terrorism Index based on four indicators: “incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages.” In 2022, the index noted that attacks have become more deadly with the lethality rising by 26%, however, terrorism deaths were down by 9%––although this is likely due to the Taliban’s transition from terror group to state actor. In the same year, the six highest-ranked countries for terrorism––or violent extremism––were Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Mali, Syria and Pakistan.
According to the World Population Review, as of this year, the six most impoverished countries are Burundi, Somalia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
It is possible that there is a connection between incredibly high poverty rates and countries that are susceptible to violent extremism, however, data on the subject is far less conclusive than one might think. “Certainly there are some poor people who involve violent extremism. And certainly, many violent extremist organizations have emerged and exist in less developed countries,” says Farrell. “But data on individuals at the core of many of these groups finds that they are not poor.”
The Scope of Concern
Although traditionally nations in Africa and Southern Asia have been at the forefront of concern, with the recent conflict in Ukraine, the scope of concern has shifted. Countries on the southern underbelly of Russia, or within the broader Russian sphere can be considered at risk for increased conflict and, thus, the development of violent extremism, according to Farrell.
According to the 2022 Global Terrorism Index, conflict in Ukraine is likely to cause a rise in both “traditional and cyber terrorism, reversing previous improvements in the region.”
“As the world divides even further in this tension between Russia and the West, you are seeing those countries in between picking sides, and you’re seeing the kind of elements within those countries that are potentially fractures in society,” says Farrell.
Attempts at Countering Violent Extremism
When making attempts at countering violent extremism, it is important for support structures like foreign governments and NGOs to orient their tools towards strengthening good governance for developing nations. Through the promotion of effective and legitimate governance structures, transparency and accountability, there is a heightened possibility for economic growth.
“Countering disinformation that aims to orient populations against liberal, western democratic values and institutions is critical,” says Farrell. “Ideally, we help to strengthen the social contract between governments and the governed, and the voice of populations so that there can be equitable just and fair societies.”
In 2019, government assistance aided in lifting 23.4 million people out of official poverty and in 2020––the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic––government assistance drew 29.6 million people from official poverty.
There is undoubtedly a level of reciprocity when it comes to development assistance––if other countries are thriving, then they serve to build up the international economy. However, “legislative work is important. If you advocate for things and to make a change, that’s so people at the end of the line benefit,” says Farrell.
Making a Change
Overall, the countering of violent extremism and positive change can only happen if people are on the same page––that’s when equality and safety become possible.
“It’s about will––the will of the government, the will of the people––to make a change. I think if the change is already kind of happening and you can add resources to catalyze that or speed it up or improve things even further, then great,” says William Farrell. “If you’re trying to start something from scratch, then that is much harder.”
– Stella Tirone
Photo: Flickr
