New york: Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel is undergoing significant transformation, as extremist groups expand their territories, control trade routes, and embrace new technologies. Their influence is increasingly reaching the Gulf of Guinea, posing a complex challenge for governments in the region. Despite efforts to initiate regional dialogue, governmental responses are struggling to keep pace with these developments.
According to United Nations, Leonardo Santos Simo, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), addressed the Security Council on Tuesday, highlighting the evolving threat posed by terrorist groups and non-State armed groups. The threat remains severe, particularly in the central Sahel and northern Nigeria, and is now rapidly extending to coastal states in the Gulf of Guinea. These organizations are rapidly adapting their methods, utilizing drones, sophisticated communication tools, and cryptocurrencies to modernize their arsenal.
Simo warned that their attacks are in
creasingly coordinated across multiple countries, strengthening ties with transnational criminal networks. Their objectives extend beyond military operations, aiming to consolidate territorial and economic control while undermining public trust in governmental authorities.
In Mali, a coalition involving the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched simultaneous attacks in April, targeting multiple cities including Bamako and Kati. These offensives resulted in both civilian and military casualties, including the Malian Minister of Defence. Fighting continues in the north, with road blockades and attacks on power lines disrupting supplies.
In Niger, attacks have targeted Niamey airport and a military base in Tahoua. Burkina Faso’s northern and eastern regions suffer from attacks, sometimes perpetrated with drones. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s north and the Middle Belt region continue to face kidnappings and attacks, heavily impacting civilians.
The resulting vio
lence has led to significant population displacements. By the end of February, West Africa and the Sahel were hosting nearly 6.8 million internally displaced persons, alongside 1.3 million refugees and asylum seekers. The Gulf of Guinea States, previously less affected, now host approximately 220,000 refugees. In Liberia, the Burkinabe population has surged, straining resources and public services.
Humanitarian access is deteriorating due to funding shortfalls, reducing relief operations. Women, children, and young people are disproportionately affected by the crisis’s consequences.
A concerning development is the rise in drug trafficking, particularly in coastal states where authorities report numerous seizures. Young people are the primary victims, and some armed groups reportedly use these substances for their fighters. The cartels’ growing influence over certain public institutions further weakens these entities.
This trend illustrates the increasing interconnectedness between terrorism, organized crim
e, and parallel economies, complicating the distinction between insurgency, trafficking, and effective governance in a turbulent region.