P067 - Motivations and Barriers: Understanding Al-Shabaab's Recruitment, Permanence and Disengagement Processes in Mozambique Licínio Zitha, Rui Abrunhosa Gonçalves, & Sónia Caridade Psychology RC, University of Minho

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Limited attention has been given to the factors influencing the recruitment, permanence, and disengagement of the "terrorist" group Al-Shabab in Mozambique within existing terrorism studies. These studies often prioritize broader social and political issues. This qualitative study aims to comprehensively explore the factors contributing to the recruitment, retention, and disengagement of Al-Shabab members in Mozambique. Eleven participants, currently serving sentences. Three prominent factors emerged for recruitment: enticement, coercion, and false propaganda. Additionally, fear and challenges in social reintegration were identified as primary factors for permanence. Disillusionment and measures of military and political counter-terrorism were cited more frequently for disengagement. Recruitment factors were further categorized into six subthemes: a) lack of life perspectives, b) tribal tensions/languages, c) enticement, d) coercion, e) religious manipulation, and f) false propaganda. Permanence factors included four subthemes: a) fear, b) community reprisals, c) challenges of social reintegration, and d) oath-taking. Disengagement factors comprised three subthemes: a) disillusionment, b) health problems, and c) reactions to military policies and counter-terrorism.
The findings underscore coercion and enticement as primary factors for recruitment, fear for permanence, and disillusionment for disengagement. In discussing counter-terrorism measures, we advocate for the creation and expansion of essential services accessible to all, with the aim of discouraging the recruitment of human resources, as terrorism fundamentally depends on such resources.
Key-words: Al-Shabaab, Recruitment, Permanence, Disengagement, Terrorism

Author

• Licinio Zacarias Zitha, Psychology Research Centre, University of Minho, Portugal