Sahel Still ‘Epicentre’ Of World Terrorism — GTI Report

• Nigeria, Israel in the top 10 most affected by terrorism

'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja 

DAILY COURIER - The Sahel region, particularly Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has cemented its status as the epicenter of global terrorism, accounting for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) released on March 5, 2025. The report, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), highlights a dramatic geographic shift in terrorism activity from the Middle East to the Sahel, with these three nations bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—collectively referred to as the “triad of terror”—have consistently ranked among the most terrorism-impacted countries since 2017. In 2024, Burkina Faso retained its position as the world’s most affected nation for the second consecutive year, despite a 21 percent decline in terrorism-related deaths to 1,532. Mali recorded 604 deaths, while Niger experienced a staggering 94 percent surge in fatalities, with 930 deaths attributed to terrorism.

The report underscores the growing influence of jihadist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates, as well as the Al Qaeda-linked Group to Support Islam and Muslims (JNIM). These groups have expanded their operations beyond the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area—where Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger converge—into neighboring countries, including Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria. IS-Sahel alone was responsible for 16 attacks in Nigeria, 12 in Niger, six in Mali, and one in Burkina Faso in 2024.

Burkina Faso remains the most impacted country globally, accounting for one-fifth of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2024. Despite a decline in both deaths and attacks, the nation continues to grapple with relentless jihadist violence that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Burkina Faso in 2015. The report notes that while counterterrorism efforts have yielded some progress, the gains remain fragile, and the country’s security situation is far from stable.

Mali, where the current wave of jihadist violence began in 2012, recorded 604 terrorism-related deaths in 2024. The country has been a persistent hotspot for terrorism, with groups like JNIM and IS-Sahel exploiting weak governance and ethnic tensions to expand their influence. The military junta that seized power in 2021 has struggled to contain the violence, despite severing ties with France and turning to Russia for security assistance.

Niger, one of the world’s largest uranium producers, saw a dramatic 94 percent increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2024, reversing the progress made in 2022. The country recorded 930 fatalities, marking the largest increase in terrorism deaths globally. The report warns that Niger’s case highlights the fragility of counterterrorism gains in the Sahel, where jihadist groups continue to adapt and expand their reach.

While the Sahel dominates the global terrorism landscape, other regions are also grappling with evolving threats. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, rose to sixth place in the 2025 GTI, up from eighth in 2023 and 2024. The country recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths in 2024, reflecting a continued increase in fatalities over the past two years. The growing influence of IS-Sahel, which carried out 16 attacks in Nigeria, underscores the group’s expansion beyond traditional hotspots.

Israel, meanwhile, ranked seventh in the GTI, with a score of 7.463. The country has faced a surge in terrorism-related incidents amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The report highlights the complex security challenges Israel faces, including attacks by Palestinian militant groups and the broader regional instability fueled by geopolitical rivalries.

The Sahel’s deepening security crisis has been exacerbated by geopolitical shifts. Military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which seized power in coups between 2020 and 2023, have distanced themselves from former colonial power France and turned to Russia and China for support. The three nations have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form their own Sahel confederation.

This shift in alliances, particularly in the realm of security, has created a vacuum that jihadist groups have exploited. The report highlights that the withdrawal from ECOWAS and the change in partnerships have allowed groups like JNIM to extend their activities toward coastal West African countries, further destabilizing the region.

The GTI report underscores the urgent need for a coordinated international response to address the root causes of terrorism in the Sahel. While military action is essential, the report emphasizes the importance of tackling poverty, governance challenges, and climate change—factors that have fueled instability in the region.

As terrorism continues to shift and evolve, the Sahel remains a critical flashpoint, demanding urgent attention and sustained efforts to prevent further loss of life and regional destabilization. The triad of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger stands at the heart of this crisis, with their fates deeply intertwined in the fight against global terrorism.