Paper short abstract:

So far, Islamic movements in Sub-Saharan Africa have proved their capacity of auto-governance supported by their own think-tank, media and transnational network. Based on case studies, this paper analyses the roles of the new Muslim elite in political Islamic movements in the age of information.

Paper long abstract:

Islamic movements in Sub-Saharan Africa, affiliated to soufi brotherhood or to reformist groups, have proved their capacity of auto-governance supported by their own think-tank, media and transnational academic and financial networks. In new Islamic movements such as "Dahira-toul Moustarchidine wal Moustarchidaty" in Senegal or "Izala" in Nigeria, we can notice the emergence of new types of leaders and educated young disciples, especially in urban areas and Diasporas. The media-literacy and the involvements in academic and/or political fields characterize these actors and their movements. Some groups have their own schools and universities linked to international organizations and supported by various investors, notably from Arabic and Golf countries. Conferences, political meetings and seminars are now organized by several groups and involve local political leaders.

We can also observe a new type of autonomous Muslim intellectuals joining the international academic communities. They have a dual position of "outsiders" and "insiders". On the one hand, their Muslim militancy keeps them out of both Western and African societies. On the other hand, their "rationalism" and capacity to express themselves in different fields links them both to Western academic field and to political and/or educational areas of their native society. Despite the importance of these intellectuals in many new Islamic movements, their integration in the local society and their relationship with the government remains problematic.

Based on case studies, this paper investigates the roles of new Muslim elites in Islamic movements, thanks to their ability to construct a new sphere of knowledge and communication.