The Central Sahel, an area including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has become one of the most volatile regions in Africa in recent years. Between 2017 and 2023, violent incidents linked to extremist groups surged fivefold, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. This surge has left over 20,000 people dead and displaced more than 2.7 million individuals. Among these tragedies, Burkina Faso stands out as bearing the brunt of militant activity, with nearly 40% of all extremist-related deaths in West Africa occurring within its borders as of late 2023.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. These figures represent not just numbers but real families torn apart, communities shattered, and livelihoods lost. The haunting stories of displaced mothers, orphaned children, and entire villages driven into the wilderness by fear paint a picture of the immense human toll. While the violence may seem like statistics in distant reports, its effects ripple through African societies, economies, and cultural identities.
The Rise of Extremist Groups: Roots of Chaos
The region’s destabilization stems primarily from the activities of two insurgent factions: Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) under al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) affiliated with ISIS. These groups have exploited ethnic tensions, governance gaps, and mistrust among local communities to build alliances and gain footholds. JNIM has embedded itself in central Mali and parts of Burkina Faso, capitalizing on longstanding grievances between farmers and herders, while ISGS has gained traction in the tri-border area of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The tactics of these groups have grown more sinister and adaptive, including ambushes, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and mass civilian massacres. Their goal is not only territorial control but also to sow fear and erode trust in governments and regional institutions. For many Africans living in affected areas, daily life has become a fight for survival, where going to the market or attending school carries risks unimaginable just a decade ago.
A Fragile Response: Regional and International Efforts
In response to the rising threat, regional countries formed the G5 Sahel Joint Force in 2017 to conduct cross-border military operations against terrorism. Supported by over €100 million in European Union funding and logistical assistance from France’s Operation Barkhane, the initiative aimed to address the crisis. Yet, internal challenges, such as poor coordination, underfunding, and limited operational capacity, have plagued its effectiveness.
Mali’s withdrawal from the G5 in 2022, following a military coup, further weakened the coalition. France subsequently ended its Operation Barkhane in November 2022, leaving a void in international military support. Mali’s engagement with the Russian private military group Wagner added a controversial dimension to the crisis, with reported human rights abuses raising alarm across the global community. Similarly, the United Nations’ MINUSMA mission faced hurdles. By December 2023, the withdrawal of 13,000 peacekeepers marked a pivotal shift, leaving local forces to bear the burden of security, a task for which many feel ill-equipped.
Local Efforts: Promises and Pitfalls
African nations have made significant strides to confront the extremism challenge with their own resources. Burkina Faso, under its military government, has recruited over 50,000 civilian auxiliaries through the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) program. While this initiative has empowered communities to defend their territories, concerns linger about inadequate training, accountability, and risks of retaliatory violence against certain ethnic groups.
In Niger, a 2023 coup disrupted its role as a linchpin of Western-backed counterterrorism efforts, with military leaders suspending cooperation with U.S. and French forces. Like Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has explored partnerships with Russia, reflecting a broader trend of re-aligning security alliances.
The Humanitarian Crisis: Africa’s Silent Struggle
Beyond the military front, the Sahel’s humanitarian situation is a crisis of staggering proportions. Over 10 million people require immediate aid, and food insecurity has become a dire issue. The World Food Programme estimates that during the lean season of 2024, over 5.4 million people across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger will face crisis-level hunger or worse. These challenges are exacerbated by climate change, which has brought erratic rainfall and droughts, crippling agriculture, the backbone of local economies.
For many Africans, these conditions are not just news headlines, they are lived realities. Farmers who once prided themselves on growing enough to feed their families now face empty fields. Parents watch helplessly as malnutrition affects their children’s growth and health. The Central Sahel’s plight is a painful reminder of how interconnected our continent’s challenges are, from governance to climate resilience.
Toward a Sahel Stabilization Strategy: Hope Amid Turmoil
The international community has pivoted toward a Sahel stabilization strategy, emphasizing governance reform, economic development, and climate resilience. Pledges of over €11 billion in aid through the Sahel Alliance signal the commitment of donors like Germany, France, and the EU. However, political instability and corruption have hampered meaningful progress.
For African readers, the call to action is clear. The Sahel crisis is not just a challenge for affected countries, it is a shared concern for the continent. Strengthening regional cooperation, addressing the root causes of extremism, and rebuilding trust between communities and their governments will require collective effort.
At its heart, the crisis in the Sahel is a story of resilience and unity. By lifting each other up and fostering solidarity, Africa can turn the tide on one of its most daunting challenges.
By
Halima Imam
