10 African states among the top 20 in the impact of terrorism: 4 of the top 10 in West Africa

By Fidel Amakye Owusu

The Global Terrorism Index, a comprehensive study evaluating the impact of terrorism in 163 countries, covers about 99.7 percent of the world’s population. According to this study, 10 African countries are among the 20 most affected by terrorism.

Burkina Faso tops the list with a score of 8.571. Other African nations like Mali, Somalia, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), Mozambique, Kenya, and Egypt are also ranked among the top 20 worst affected countries.

The Index scores countries on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe terrorism impact. Factors considered include the number of deaths caused by terrorism, the frequency and severity of attacks, the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, and the overall impact on people’s lives.

So, what does this mean?

Last year, reports indicated that the epicenter of global terrorism has shifted from West Asia to Africa, particularly to the central regions of the western Sahel. These areas have become hotspots for violent extremists who seek to gain control over territory and resources.

This shift has resulted in thousands of deaths due to frequent and deadly jihadist attacks. The situation has also led to significant internal displacement, with effects that spill over into neighboring regions.

Among the 10 worst-hit countries on the index, four are located in West Africa: Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Niger. Except for Nigeria, all these countries have experienced political instability, with their military forces having ousted civilian governments.

In Burkina Faso, deaths from terrorism have increased by 68 percent. Mali is in a similar position, despite the military’s claims of taking power to address security issues. After several years in power, these military regimes have not significantly improved security and seem primarily focused on protecting their own interests.

In response to the threat of violent extremism spreading, West African coastal states have sought increased coordination and stronger partnerships. The “Accra Initiative,” established in 2017 by several coastal countries, has recently received substantial support, including more than US$100 million from the United States last year. The European Union has also backed this initiative.

Looking ahead, what’s the next step?

After months and years of imposing sanctions on military-led states, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to lift these sanctions to negotiate with the military leaders who have withdrawn from the regional bloc.

However, the focus should not only be on the political aspects but also on implementing urgent and coordinated counterterrorism measures. This is crucial to reversing the current trends before they worsen.

Currently, border regions in the northern parts of some coastal states are already vulnerable to the influence of violent extremism.

Fidel Amakye Owusu is an International Relations and Security Analyst. He is an Associate at the Conflict Research Consortium for Africa and has previously hosted an International Affairs program with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). He is passionate about Diplomacy and realizing Africa’s global potential and how the continent should be viewed as part of the global collective.