Testimony by United States Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Africa Linda Etim Senate Foreign Relations Committee

USAID's efforts to end extreme poverty, promote resilient democratic societies, and create economic opportunities are increasingly threatened by instability and the emerging forces of violent extremism. The agency recognizes the critical role of development in addressing social, economic, governance, and other legitimate grievances that can fuel violent extremism and promote radicalization of individuals and communities. USAID's approach to preventing violent extremism involves examining the drivers of fragility, including social fragmentation, a sense of injustice, perceptions of marginalization, and distrust of government. The agency also considers the pull factors that can attract those vulnerable to recruitment, including social and peer networks that provide an ideological foundation, and the promise of financial benefit. USAID's research has shown that attitudes of potential recruits are heavily influenced by their environment, information channels, peer group norms, and what they hear from trusted sources. In 2011, USAID issued "The Development Response to Violent Extremism and Insurgency," which recognizes development's role in identifying and addressing drivers of extremism in support of U.S. national security objectives. The agency's efforts to prevent the spread of violent extremism involve targeted programs to promote good governance and the rule of law, respect for human rights, and sustainable, inclusive development. USAID works with the U.S. Department of State and other agencies to design, support, and measure programs that reduce the vulnerabilities of communities and build local capacity to resist extremist groups. Youth are a key demographic targeted by USAID's programming, with over 226 million youth aged 15-24 living in Africa in 2015. Unemployed youth who have migrated to peri-urban and slum areas, university graduates whose expectations have not been met, or youth who have lived through conflict can be at great risk of involvement in destructive or illicit activities. Gender is also a critical element in addressing violent extremism, with women not only being victims but also perpetrators and critical to prevention. In the Horn of Africa, terrorist threats continue to evolve and spread, with regional dynamics and conditions propelling extremism in the region. Through the Partnership for Regional East Africa Counterterrorism (PREACT) and related programs, the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Defense, and USAID fund projects in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and along the Kenya-Somalia border to promote civic engagement and political participation, strengthen civil society organizations, amplify moderate voices, mitigate conflict, and empower youth and women. In Somalia, al-Shabaab threatens not only the country's viability as a state but also the region's stability. USAID supports peace and stability in 17 of 18 regions through targeted community-vetted interventions that foster good governance, economic recovery, and reduce the appeal of extremism. The agency also promotes the women, peace, and security agenda in Somalia, with 12 women's centers constructed and/or equipped across the country. One of USAID's flagship programs, the Transition Initiatives for Stabilization Plus, improves community resistance to the influence of al-Shabaab and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) by creating effective local governance and proactively engaging communities. This program serves as the bridge between USAID's humanitarian assistance and development programs in Somalia, creating short-term employment opportunities for at-risk youth, displaced people, and other vulnerable groups. In Kenya, USAID targets at-risk youth populations through Generation Kenya, which closes the gap between young people who are out of work and employers who are short of skilled employees. The program has produced impressive results, with 100 percent of Generation Kenya's 490 graduates placed with employers and 90 percent still in these jobs. USAID plans to expand its programming in violent extremism "hot spots" working hand in hand with communities, local, and national governments.