Compared with the rest of the world, there are more areas with “terror deaths”

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Compared with the rest of the world, there are more areas with “terror deaths”

According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), Africa’s Sahel is the “center of global terrorism” and now accounts for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths for the first time.

Its new report says that in this semiarid region of the southern Sahara, 3,885 people died in a total of 7,555 people worldwide.

The GTI report added that while global numbers have dropped from 11,000 peaks in 2015, the Sahel figures have increased nearly tenfold since 2019, as extremist and insurgent groups “continue to shift their focus to the region.”

The index is published by the Institute of Economics and Peace, which is dedicated to studying global peace and conflict.

It defines terrorism as “the illegal force and violence that threatens or actually uses non-state actors to achieve political, economic, religious or social goals through fear, coercion or intimidation”.

[BBC]

The Sahel extends from the west coast of Africa throughout the continent. GTI’s definition of the region includes part of 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, Chad and Mauritania.

Sahel has the highest birth rate, with almost two-thirds of the population under 25 years of age.

The report said that unlike the “lonely actor terrorism is on the rise” in the West, Sahel saw a rapid expansion of radical jihadist groups.

It said most of the attacks there were carried out by two organizations: the Islamic State Group branch in the Sahel and Jamat Nusrat Islamic Val Muslim (Jnim) – a branch of Al Qaeda.

“They are trying to introduce new legal orders,” explained Niagalé Bagayoko, president of the African Security Service Cyber. “They are trying to specialize in managing justice under Sharia law.”

In the process, she said they “compete against each other” for land and influence.

IS-Sahel’s IT-controlled territory has been reportedly doubled since the 2020 and 2021 coups – JNIM has also continued to expand its coverage in large part in the eastern part of the border with Burkina Faso and Niger.

The GTI report noted that both teams recruited more fighter jets, including children from IS.

“In some cases, people tend to be in a picky position when they decide to join a radical organization,” said Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst specializing in French-speaking African-Africa risk. “These communities are very vulnerable.”

The GTI report explains how political instability and vulnerability governance creates ideal conditions for the growth of insurgent groups, with conflict as “the main driver of terrorism.”

The Sahel is sometimes called the “coup belt” of Africa.

Since 2020, there have been six successful coups in the region, as defined by the GTI report: Mali has 2 times in Burkina Faso, one in Guinea, Guinea. These countries are now run by military governments.

“The Sahel has been segmented in the state society,” said Dr. Folahanmi Aina, an expert at SOAS University in London.

“It has been ignored by political leaders for many years, and they do not necessarily prioritize people-centered governance, and local complaints have faded, leading to terrorist groups trying to exploit these terrorist groups.”

Two government leaders, Abdourahamane Tiani of General Niger — Captain Ibrahim Trioley (L) of Burkina Faso and Abdullahman Tyani (R) of Niger [Getty Images]

It is believed that civilian governments cannot cope with the security threats of insurgent groups, “but despite these governments taking over these governments, they do not necessarily improve the optical components on the ground, and the insecurity actually worsens,” Dr. Aina said. “The military government is not professionally prepared for strict governance.”

In fact, in 2024, Burkina Faso “still be the country that has been most affected by terrorism in the second year.”

It is the only country that is not on the list of Iraq or Afghanistan in the 14 years since the report began.

According to the GTI report, jihadist groups maintained a series of illegal economic activities in the Sahel, including ransoms and rustling of bulls.

The region has also become a key avenue for drug traffickers who bring cocaine from South America to Europe, the report notes: “Drug trafficking is one of the most profitable illegal activities related to Sahel terrorism”.

It noted that some groups no longer engage in organized crime directly, but instead “by taxation or providing security and protection in exchange for payments.”

It continues to explain: “This model not only generates income, but also helps these groups integrate into local communities, thereby enhancing their impact.”

The rebel groups also competed for control of the Sahel’s abundant natural resources. Niger is the seventh largest producer of uranium in the world, and unregulated artisanal gold mines found throughout the region are often exploited by advantages such as Is-Sahel and Jnim.

A man standing with a camera on his back, looking at a secret gold mine in Burkina Faso — Sahel [Getty Images]

After the recent wave of coup, the Sahel government has moved from Western allies such as France and the United States to China and Russia to address the support of militants.

“Currently, we see Russian paramilitaries known as African Legion in the region are more confident [formerly Wagner]”Their job is to train and support local troops in response to rebellion in the area, but so far, this has not worked.”

As a result, the GTI report warns that there is now a risk of going beyond the so-called “terrorist center” to neighboring countries.

In fact, it says this may have happened – Togo recorded 10 attacks and 52 deaths in 2024, the most since the index began. These are mainly concentrated on the country’s border with Burkina Faso.

Ms Ochieng agreed with the assessment, saying: “The expansion of militant groups within countries such as Benin, Togo or other coastal countries in West Africa seems to be imminent”.