According to a newly released Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel has emerged as the leading region for terrorism-related deaths, raising alarms over the future of security and governance in West Africa.
**Sahel: The World's Terrorism Epicenter Declares War on Stability**
**Sahel: The World's Terrorism Epicenter Declares War on Stability**
The Sahel region's rise as a global terrorism hotspot highlights severe governance and security challenges worsening civilian life.
The report details that the Sahel region of Africa now records over half of the world’s terrorism deaths, with 3,885 fatalities out of a global total of 7,555. The findings, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, indicate a troubling trend where violence from extremist groups is surging amidst political instability.
The semi-arid Sahel region, which stretches across parts of 10 countries including Mali and Burkina Faso, has been described as the "epicentre of global terrorism." The GTI notes that while global terrorism figures peaked at 11,000 in 2015, the fatalities in the Sahel have recently surged almost tenfold since 2019, with groups like the Islamic State affiliate in the region and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)—an al-Qaeda affiliate—leading the violence.
Experts highlight that both of these groups are competing for control over land and influence, with new legal systems rooted in Sharia law being introduced. IS-Sahel's territorial control in Mali has reportedly doubled since recent coups in 2020 and 2021, as militant groups recruit fighters, including children, to bolster their ranks.
Political instability and ineffective governance fuel the rise of these groups in the Sahel, often referred to as the "coup belt." Since 2020, the region has witnessed six military coups, yet the anticipated stabilization under military rule has not materialized, worsening insecurity and leading to rising violence against civilians.
The GTI report attributes these dynamics to a breakdown in effective government, with years of neglect from leadership exacerbating local grievances. Meanwhile, illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, provide a financial backbone for jihadist operations while they also exploit the Sahel's rich natural resources.
While local governments are increasingly distancing themselves from Western allies in their fight against terrorism, the growing presence of Russian paramilitaries aims to fill the security void. However, experts warn that without effective governance, the violence may spill over into neighboring countries.
The report reveals trends that suggest imminent threats to nearby nations, with rising violence recorded in Togo and other coastal West African countries, prompting fears that the repercussions of a failing Sahel state may extend even further.
In a region already wrought with vulnerability and despair, the outlook calls for urgent action to address both the immediate threats of violence and the underlying systematic failures contributing to the ongoing cycle of instability.
The semi-arid Sahel region, which stretches across parts of 10 countries including Mali and Burkina Faso, has been described as the "epicentre of global terrorism." The GTI notes that while global terrorism figures peaked at 11,000 in 2015, the fatalities in the Sahel have recently surged almost tenfold since 2019, with groups like the Islamic State affiliate in the region and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)—an al-Qaeda affiliate—leading the violence.
Experts highlight that both of these groups are competing for control over land and influence, with new legal systems rooted in Sharia law being introduced. IS-Sahel's territorial control in Mali has reportedly doubled since recent coups in 2020 and 2021, as militant groups recruit fighters, including children, to bolster their ranks.
Political instability and ineffective governance fuel the rise of these groups in the Sahel, often referred to as the "coup belt." Since 2020, the region has witnessed six military coups, yet the anticipated stabilization under military rule has not materialized, worsening insecurity and leading to rising violence against civilians.
The GTI report attributes these dynamics to a breakdown in effective government, with years of neglect from leadership exacerbating local grievances. Meanwhile, illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, provide a financial backbone for jihadist operations while they also exploit the Sahel's rich natural resources.
While local governments are increasingly distancing themselves from Western allies in their fight against terrorism, the growing presence of Russian paramilitaries aims to fill the security void. However, experts warn that without effective governance, the violence may spill over into neighboring countries.
The report reveals trends that suggest imminent threats to nearby nations, with rising violence recorded in Togo and other coastal West African countries, prompting fears that the repercussions of a failing Sahel state may extend even further.
In a region already wrought with vulnerability and despair, the outlook calls for urgent action to address both the immediate threats of violence and the underlying systematic failures contributing to the ongoing cycle of instability.
