The region with greater “death of terror” than the rest of the world

According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), the “epicenter of global terrorism” in the African region, and for the first time is “more than half of all deaths related to terrorism”.

His new report states that 3885 people with the world have died in this severing area south of the Sahara desert.

The GTI report adds that while the global indicator fell from Peak at 11,000 in 2015, the Sahel indicator has increased almost ten times since 2019, as extremist and insurgent groups “continue to move their attention” to the region.

The index is published by the Institute of Economics and Peace, Analytical Center dedicated to the study of global peace and conflicts.

It defines terrorism as “threatens either the actual use of illegal force and violence by a non -governmental actor to achieve political, economic, religious or social purpose through fear, compulsion or intimidation.”

Sahel reaches from the west coast of Africa to the east through the continent. The definition of the GTI region includes parts of 10 countries: Burkina -fos, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Chad and Mauritania.

Sahel has some highest birth rates in the world, and almost two-thirds of the population-less than 25 years.

Unlike the West, where “lonely acting is increasing”, Sahel saw the rapid expansion of jihadist militants, the report said.

It states that most of the attacks were carried out by two organizations: a branch of the Islamic State in Sahel and Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam Val Muslimen (JNIM)-Philal al-Qaeda.

“They are trying to introduce new legal orders,” explains Niagal Bogojoka, chairman of the African Security Network. “They are trying to exercise justice, in particular, on the basis of Sharia.”

And in this process she says that they “compete with each other” for the earth and influence.

IS -Sahel reportedly doubled the number of the territory she controlled in Mali, after the upheavals of the country 2020 and 2021 – largely in the east near Burkin -Phasu and Niger – while JNIM also continued to expand its achievements, the UN College on Mali reports.

The GTI report notes that both groups scored more fighters, including children’s soldiers in the case of IS.

“In some cases, people are usually at a point without choosing as long as they decided to join the militants,” says Bverley Ochieng, a senior analyst who specializes in Francophone Africa, at control at geopolitical risk. “These are communities that are very vulnerable.”

The GTI report explains how political instability and weak management create ideal conditions for rising rebel groups, pointing to the conflict as a “major terrorism driver”.

Sahel is sometimes called the “belt” of Africa.

Since 2020, there were six successful upheavals in the region, as determined by the GTI report: two in Mali, two in Burkin -fos, one in Guinea and one in Niger. Military junta is now being ruled in these countries.

“Sahel has survived a disruption in state society,” says D -Rolohany Aina, an expert on the SOAS University region in London.

“For years, political leaders have informed political leaders about neglect, which did not necessarily prefer people -oriented people, and local complaints have been reported, which led to the terrorist groups trying to use them.”

It was believed that civilian governments could not fight the threats of security from the rebel groups, “but despite the fact that these junta had taken over, they did not necessarily improve the optics on the ground and in fact the danger deteriorated, – says D -Aina. “The junta is professionally unprepared for the rigor of government.”

In fact, in 2024, Burkina -fos “remained the country most affected by terrorism for the second consecutive year,” GTI reports.

Over the 14 years since the report, this is the only country that led a list that is not Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jihadist groups support their activities in Sahel with a number of illegal economic activity, including the abduction for ransom and cattle, GTI said.

In the region, it has also become a key way for drugs bringing cocaine from South America to Europe, and the report states that “drug trading is one of the most financially profitable illegal acts related to terrorism in Sahel.”

It is said that some groups deviate from direct involvement in organized crime, but prefer to “make money by imposing taxes or providing security and protection in exchange for payment.”

He continues to explain: “This model not only brings profit, but also helps these groups integrate into local communities, strengthening their influence.”

Insurgent groups also fight the control over the rich natural resources of Sahel. Niger-seventh largest uranium manufacturer in the world, and unregulated artisanal gold mines that meet throughout the region, often use similar to Isa-Sahel and Giangny.

After the recent wave of coupons, the Sahel governments departed from Western allies, such as France and the US, to China and Russia to support the fight against militants.

“Now we see that Russia is taking more persistent control over Russian military military military warning, known as the African Corps (formerly Wagner),” says Ms. Ochieng. “Their work is to teach and support local armies to be able to withstand the uprising in the region, but it has not yet been effective.”

The GTI report warns that there is a risk of overcoming outside the so -called “Terror Epicenter” for neighboring countries.

In fact, it is said that this can already happen – Togo recorded 10 attacks and 52 deaths in 2024, most since the index began. They were largely concentrated along the border of the country from Burkin -fos.

Ms Ochieng agrees with this assessment, saying that “the expansion of militants in the region in countries such as Benin, then or other coastal West African states seems inevitable.”