The article "Armed violence in the Sahara. From jihadism to insurrections?", produced by Mathieu Pellerin and published by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) on December 20, 2019, analyzes the evolution of jihadism in the Sahel. The author underlines that the Sahelian jihad is a combination of local and global issues, resulting from insurrectional centers rooted in old social, political and economic fractures. With the expansion of jihadist groups towards the center and south of the Sahel, the religious dimension is fading, giving way to hybrid forms of violence combining self-defense, rebellion and jihadism. Pellerin criticizes the mainly military response of States and their international partners, believing that it is inappropriate in the face of an essentially political phenomenon. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of Sahelian jihadism to develop more effective response strategies.

Jihad, Violence, Insécurité

The article entitled "The coastal countries of West Africa. New land of expansion for Sahelian jihadist groups?", written by Mathieu Pellerin and published by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) on February 11, 2022, analyzes the expansion of Sahelian jihadist groups towards the coastal countries of West Africa. The Eastern and Cascades regions of Burkina Faso, as well as those of Sikasso and Kayes in Mali, serve as rear bases for groups such as Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) to expand into Benin, Ivory Coast, and to a lesser extent Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Guinea. This expansion relies on local recruits and exploits the fragilities of the targeted territories, in particular the tensions linked to access to resources, community stigma and the presence of criminal networks susceptible to “jihadization”. The article underlines the importance for the authorities of these states to put in place appropriate civil and military responses to prevent a deterioration of the security situation.

Security, Jihad, Vulnerability

The article "The Return of the Silent Force to Power in West Africa" by Bah Traoré, published on August 3, 2023, on WATHI, analyzes the resurgence of military coups in West Africa, particularly in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. These events echo the 1970s and 1980s, characterized by frequent coups. The author notes that the democratic transition initiated in the 1990s did not meet the populations' expectations regarding governance and reducing inequalities. In Niger, despite a relatively stable security situation compared to its neighbors, the military seized power, citing reasons similar to those in Mali and Burkina Faso. Niger has become a strategic base for Western countries in the fight against terrorism, while diversifying its partnerships, notably with Turkey for the acquisition of military drones.

Governance, Terrorism, Military activity, Coup d'État

Jabir Touré's article, published in the Revue internationale des francophonies, examines the efforts of French-speaking Sahel countries in combating terrorism, focusing on the G5 Sahel. Established in 2014 by Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, the G5 Sahel is an intergovernmental organization aiming to enhance security and development in the region. Despite international support, notably from France through Operation Barkhane, and the creation of Task Force Takuba in 2020, the G5 Sahel joint force struggles to reach full operational capacity. Terrorist groups like the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) have expanded their influence, making 2019 particularly deadly. However, since the Pau Summit in January 2020, improved coordination between national forces and their partners has partially reversed the balance of power on the ground.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold

This article explores the evolution and impact of terrorism in Africa, highlighting its recent mutations and its adaptation to political and geopolitical contexts. It highlights the rise of radical Islamist groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, AQIM, and their common goals of establishing Islamic regimes based on Sharia law. The fragmentation of states, the inability to control vast and under-administered territories, as well as external influences such as the ideology of Daesh, maintain the expansion of these groups. Key areas, including the Sahel, Sinai and East Africa, are identified as major hotbeds of terrorist activity. The article stresses the urgency of a coordinated and adapted response to counter this growing threat and stabilize the continent.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The article explores the geopolitics of terrorism in Africa, analyzing the challenges and responses proposed by African states and their international partners. It highlighted the rapid adaptation of terrorist groups such as AQIM, MUJAO and Boko Haram, faced with often ineffective strategies. Initiatives such as the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) are struggling to gain traction due to problems of coordination, financing and foreign influences that prioritize their strategic interests. Better governance, enhanced cooperation and comprehensive approaches are essential to counter the rise of terrorism, as is the fight against its financing and support. The article calls for a melting down of African armies and the establishment of multidimensional strategies, integrating the ideological, educational and economic aspects.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Human security, Threat

The article, titled “Nigeria’s Unhappy Union: How Rising Insecurity Threatens the Country’s Future,” examines the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria. It highlights that recent attacks, such as the one on the police headquarters and a prison in Imo State, illustrate the state’s loss of control over violence. The authors identify several factors contributing to this instability, including the rise of secessionist movements, food insecurity, high unemployment, and endemic corruption. They warn of the risks of national disintegration unless urgent measures are taken to strengthen governance and address the socio-economic needs of the population.

Governance, Agriculture, Livestock, Conflict, Jihad, Poverty, Insécurité

The article "Central Mali: Issues and Dangers of a Neglected Crisis" analyzes the situation in the central regions of Mali, particularly Mopti and Segou, where the Fulani community expresses social and political demands that are often reduced to security issues. Faced with this marginalization, some join jihadist groups that promise justice, protection, and economic opportunities. The study, based on community surveys, highlights the root causes of the regional malaise and suggests avenues for a conflict prevention strategy, highlighting the fragility of this area and the urgency of increased attention from Malian decision-makers.

Conflict, Jihad, Violence, Discrimination, Crisis

The unpublished report from the Tombouctou Institute, coordinated by researcher Lassina Diarra, examines radicalization and the perception of the terrorist threat in the Bounkani region, located in the far north of Côte d'Ivoire. This study highlights the weak signals and multiple factors of growing radicalization, which is particularly worrying in the context of the advance of terrorist groups towards coastal countries. The data collected indicate that this region is already experiencing the effects of the regionalization of the threat, illustrated by the attacks in Grand-Bassam in 2016. The proximity to countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as migration from Niger, accentuate Côte d'Ivoire's vulnerabilities. Faced with this situation, the Ivorian government has undertaken to redefine its security policy and territorial administration to counter this growing threat.

Jihad, Terrorism, Vulnerability, Violence, Threat