‘Terrorism’ more than other worlds in the world

The Sahel area in Africa is “the epicenter of world terrorism,” and according to the current Global Terrorism Index (GTI), it first explains “more than half of all terrorist deaths.”

According to a new report, 3,885 out of 7,555 people in the world were killed in this semi -dried area in the south of the Sahara Desert.

According to the GTI report, global figures decreased to 11,000 in 2015, while SAHEL’s figures have increased almost 10 times since 2019, and extremists and rebels continue to focus on this area.

This index is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a think tank that is dedicated to studying world peace and conflict.

It defines terrorism as “” “” “” “” “” “” “to achieve political, economic, religious or social goals through fear, coercion or intimidation by” the threat of illegal forces and violence by non -state actors.

Sahel extends east by crossing the continent from the west coast of Africa. The definition of GTI in this area includes 10 countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Chad and Mauritania.

SAHEL has some of the highest birth rates in the world, and nearly two -thirds of the population is under 25 years of age.

According to the report, unlike the West, where “lonely actor terrorism is increasing,” Sahel saw a rapid expansion of the armed jihad group.

It says that most of the attacks were carried out by two organizations: Sahel’s Islamic state group affiliates and Jama’at Nusrat Al-ISLAM Wal Muslime (JNIM) -Arcaeda.

“They are trying to introduce new legal orders,” said Niagalé Bagayoko, chairman of the African security network. “They are especially trying to manage justice based on Sharia.”

And in the process, she says, “We are competing with each other for the land and influence.”

The IS -SAHEL has doubled the coup d’etat from east to east near the boundary between 2020 and 2021, while JNIM has doubled the amount of territory controlled by Mali according to Mali’s UN expert panel.

According to the GTI report, both groups have recruited more fighters, including children soldiers.

Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst who specializes in Francophone Africa in Control Risks, a designated scientific risk consulting, said, “In some cases, people tend to have no choice until people decide to join the armed group. “These are very vulnerable communities.”

The GTI report points out the conflict with the “main driver of terrorism” how political instability and weak governance are creating ideal conditions for the rebels to grow.

Sahel is sometimes called “coup belt” in Africa.

As defined by the GTI report since 2020, there are six successful coups in the area. Mali is 2 pieces, Bourkina Faso, one in Guinea, and one in Niger. All of these countries are now operated by military Juntas.

Dr. Folahanmi Aina, a local expert in Soas University in London, said, “Sahel has experienced a failure in the state society.

“We have been informed by the negligence of political leaders who have not prioritized people -centered governance, and have been weakened by local complaints and tried to use this terrorist group.”

There was a perception that the private government could not fight the security threat of the rebels. But this Juntas did not necessarily improve optics and actually didn’t worsen anxiety, ”Dr. AINA says.

In fact, in 2024, Burkina Faso remained “the most influenced by terrorism for two consecutive years,” according to the GTI.

For 14 years after the report began, it is the only country that occupies a list of Iraq or Afghanistan.

According to the GTI report, the Jimhard Group maintains operations in Sahel with various illegal economic activities, including the kidnapping and cows of ransom.

The area is also a key path for drug traffickers to bring cocaine from South America to Europe, which means that “drug trafficking represents one of the most financially favorable illegal activities related to terrorism in SAHEL.”

However, some groups point out that they prevents them from being directly involved in organized crimes, but they prefer to earn money by imposing taxes or providing security and protection in return.

“This model not only generates profits, but also helps these groups integrate into the community to strengthen their influence.”

Rebel groups are also competing to control Sahel’s rich natural resources. Niger is the seventh largest producer of uranium in the world, and the unprecedented craftsmanship found throughout the region often uses people like IS-Sahel and JNIM.

Following the recent wave of coup, the Sahel government helped to deal with armed forces toward China and Russia from Western allies such as France and the United States.

Ochieng said, “We now believe that Russia has more decisive control over Russian military military in the region, known as the African Corps (previous Wagner). “Their work is to train and support the local army to respond to the rebellion of this region, but it hasn’t been effective until now.”

As a result, the GTI report warned that there is a danger of excessive spiels for neighboring countries beyond the so -called “epicenter of terrorism.”

In fact, it says that this can happen already. TOGO recorded 10 attacks and 52 deaths in 2024, the most recorded since the index began. They were greatly concentrated along the border with Burkina Faso.

Ochieng agreed with this evaluation and said, “The expansion of armed groups in countries such as Benin, Togo or other African countries seems to be imminent.”