"Africa's Sahel region is a terrorism hotspot, according to the latest Global Terrorism Indexpublished by the Institute for Economics and Peace. About 51% of global terror-related deaths are recorded in the Sahel where two al-Qaeda-linked jihadi groups are expanding. Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and the so-called Islamic State groups are behind the wave of terror in the Sahel, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These groups are increasingly spreading south and infiltrating countries such as Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana too."
"In Benin's northern border towns, attacks on military outposts and civilians are a constant threat. In April 2025, JNIM militants killed at least 54 soldiers along the shared border with Burkina Faso and Niger. Togo has seen a similar surge in terror attacks. Why the coast? A corridor for terror groups to escape military offensives, the long stretch of coastal West Africa is also a vital trade artery and gateways into the landlocked countries and key to European shipping lines."
The Sahel accounts for roughly 51% of global terror-related deaths, driven by al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and Islamic State affiliates. Violence is concentrated in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with these groups expanding south into Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Attacks target military outposts and civilians; in April 2025 JNIM militants killed at least 54 soldiers along the Benin-Burkina Faso-Niger border. The West African coast offers a corridor to evade offensives, vital trade routes and access to landlocked states. The W-Arly-Pendjari complex provides a buffer, smuggling zone and operational base, while networks exploit illicit economies and recruit locally.
Read at www.dw.com
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