Strengthening Communities to Prevent Violent Extremism in Tanzania

Preventing violent extremism (PVE) is a key pillar of a comprehensive and sustainable counterterrorism strategy. PVE refers to actions intended to reduce the ability of violent extremists to radicalize, recruit, and mobilize followers to violence and to affect conditions that may be conducive to the spread of violent extremist recruitment and radicalization of individuals or communities. Tanzania’s geography, as well as overall limited development, have enabled Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) and other armed groups, such as al-Shabaab, ISIS, and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), to exert influence and recruit Tanzanians. Existing research and assessments highlight that social, political, and economic grievances in the country are risk factors for radicalization, as in most developing countries. Due to limited capacity at the national or local level to address key drivers of extremism, communities in Tanzania suffer from a limited understanding of violent extremism (VE), including how to recognize recruitment, and undertake effective, context-specific interventions to prevent radicalization. The goal of this program is the reduce the threat of violent extremism by: building PVE capacity in vulnerable communities in one to two regions; and engaging citizens, particularly youth in a media campaign that provides a platform for discussing issues, highlights counter-narratives to radicalization, and fosters stronger networks between communities and legitimate leaders.