Militant Africa: How 2012 Proved to Be a Year of Rebellion

A look at groups that threaten Africa’s peaceful future.

Militant Africa - Armed militant groups operating on the continent of Africa are certainly not a new phenomenon. But 2012 brought a resurgence of these groups and their deadly impact on the peace and security of the countries they call home. — Naeesa Aziz (Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

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Militant Africa - Armed militant groups operating on the continent of Africa are certainly not a new phenomenon. But 2012 brought a resurgence of these groups and their deadly impact on the peace and security of the countries they call home. — Naeesa Aziz (Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Jerome Delay

Democratic Republic of Congo: M23 - Although Congo is no stranger to armed rebel groups, the country’s M23 rebels emerged in 2012 as the most well-equipped and deadly armed group to hit the scene. The M23 rebels are composed of soldiers from a defunct rebel army made up of fighters from the Tutsi ethnic group that was targeted in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.   (Photo: AP Photo/Stephen Wandera,File Photo)

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Democratic Republic of Congo: M23 - Although Congo is no stranger to armed rebel groups, the country’s M23 rebels emerged in 2012 as the most well-equipped and deadly armed group to hit the scene. The M23 rebels are composed of soldiers from a defunct rebel army made up of fighters from the Tutsi ethnic group that was targeted in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.   (Photo: AP Photo/Stephen Wandera,File Photo)

Nigeria: Boko Haram - Nigerian militant group Boko Haram garnered international attention since 2009 when it launched a violent attack on several police stations and government buildings killing nearly 700 people. The name Boko Haram means “western education is sin” in the Hausa language, and the Islamic group seeks to establish sharia law throughout Nigeria.  (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

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Nigeria: Boko Haram - Nigerian militant group Boko Haram garnered international attention since 2009 when it launched a violent attack on several police stations and government buildings killing nearly 700 people. The name Boko Haram means “western education is sin” in the Hausa language, and the Islamic group seeks to establish sharia law throughout Nigeria.  (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

Sudan - Sudan has been accused by Israel and other nations of serving as a hub for a weapons supply route that runs from Iran to Palestine. Reports say it supplies militant groups in Gaza and other places in the Middle East. (Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

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Sudan - Sudan has been accused by Israel and other nations of serving as a hub for a weapons supply route that runs from Iran to Palestine. Reports say it supplies militant groups in Gaza and other places in the Middle East. (Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Somalia - Although al-Shabab has spread its influence around east Africa, the Islamist group hails from Somalia and has established formal ties with al-Qaeda. Al-Shabab means "the youth" in Arabic, and the group sprung out of the radical youth wing of Somalia's former Union of Islamic Courts in 2006. (Photo: REUTERS/Stuart Price/AU-UN IST PHOTO/Handout)

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Somalia - Although al-Shabab has spread its influence around east Africa, the Islamist group hails from Somalia and has established formal ties with al-Qaeda. Al-Shabab means "the youth" in Arabic, and the group sprung out of the radical youth wing of Somalia's former Union of Islamic Courts in 2006. (Photo: REUTERS/Stuart Price/AU-UN IST PHOTO/Handout)

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Kenya - Fortunately, Kenya is not home to any militant groups, but it has another problem: the ever-encroaching advances of al-Shabab. Several attacks on towns on the border between Kenya and Somalia and other attacks within Kenya have been blamed on al-Shabab. (Photo: AP Photo)

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Kenya - Fortunately, Kenya is not home to any militant groups, but it has another problem: the ever-encroaching advances of al-Shabab. Several attacks on towns on the border between Kenya and Somalia and other attacks within Kenya have been blamed on al-Shabab. (Photo: AP Photo)

Ethiopia: Lending Help - Ethiopia has dispatched soldiers to help stop al-Shabab’s spread in Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa. (Photo: Reuters /HANDOUT /LANDOV)

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Ethiopia: Lending Help - Ethiopia has dispatched soldiers to help stop al-Shabab’s spread in Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa. (Photo: Reuters /HANDOUT /LANDOV)

Mali: Ready for Intervention - Mali’s north is poised to be bombarded by a coalition of international troops in efforts to help the country regain control of its northern half, which was seized by al-Qaeda-linked fighters. (Photo: AP Photo, File)

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Mali: Ready for Intervention - Mali’s north is poised to be bombarded by a coalition of international troops in efforts to help the country regain control of its northern half, which was seized by al-Qaeda-linked fighters. (Photo: AP Photo, File)

Morocco: Stemming Mali’s Supply - Morocco recently did its part to help Mali in its fight to regain control from militants by breaking up a militant Islamist cell. Morocco says the cell sent fighters to Mali to fuel the conflict.  (Photo: REUTERS /HAMAD I MOHAMMED /LANDOV)

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Morocco: Stemming Mali’s Supply - Morocco recently did its part to help Mali in its fight to regain control from militants by breaking up a militant Islamist cell. Morocco says the cell sent fighters to Mali to fuel the conflict.  (Photo: REUTERS /HAMAD I MOHAMMED /LANDOV)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS /HAMAD I MOHAMMED /LANDOV

Libya: Groups Gone Rogue - After the NATO invasion of Libya that ousted long-time ruler Moammar Gadhafi, rebel groups, initially armed by Western nations, have been on the loose, refusing to hand over arms and submit to the interim government. These same rogue militant forces have been blamed for the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. (Photo: MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images)

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Libya: Groups Gone Rogue - After the NATO invasion of Libya that ousted long-time ruler Moammar Gadhafi, rebel groups, initially armed by Western nations, have been on the loose, refusing to hand over arms and submit to the interim government. These same rogue militant forces have been blamed for the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. (Photo: MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images)