Bulwark against militant Islamism in Africa

As a former analyst of West Africa, I was interested in your article “Islamist terror groups eye West Africa” (Orlando Sentinel, July 6). The article correctly stated that Islamist militant groups threaten West African countries. As you mentioned, these groups include Boko Haram and al-Qaida affiliates (e.g. al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, a Salafi-Islamist group). Though not mentioned, Ansar al-Din, an Islamist group in northern Mali, is also a threat.

More important, your article’s discussion about security forces (with American and European assistance) and about the fragility of some countries’ governments left out the main bulwark against militant Islamism: the cultural factor of Sufism, the variant of Islam prevalent in West Africa.

Over centuries, Sufism accommodated African traditions, has been tolerant of Animism and Christianity, and has emphasized spirituality instead of overt control of governments — therefore opposing militant Islamism in these regards.

While Sufism in West Africa has been the main bulwark against Islamist militants, its cultural influence may be eventually undermined.

Saudi Arabia and Iran fund expansion of Wahhabism and Shi’ism, respectively, eroding the influence of anti-Islamist Sufism.

Security forces and governments will never be strong enough to counter Islamist militants if Sufism loses its predominant position in West African culture.