Jihadist violence in the Sahel threatens wider region

Jihadist violence in the Sahel has surged, with Al-Qaeda- and Islamic State-linked groups launching major attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, killing hundreds of soldiers in recent weeks, according to AFP. The military juntas ruling the three countries—now united as the Alliance of Sahel States—have struggled to contain the violence despite earlier promises to prioritize security. Experts warn that jihadist groups are capitalizing on local grievances, particularly among the Fulani, to expand influence and erode confidence in state forces.

Analysts say the Islamist offensives now pose a serious threat to coastal West African states, including Benin, Togo, Senegal, and Mauritania. Mali and Burkina Faso’s capitals are “surrounded,” one security analyst noted, though governance capacity may limit jihadist control. The AES’s creation of a joint 5,000-troop force has yielded mixed results amid limited resources, drone threats, and weakening regional ties. Observers warn that state fragility, misinformation, and lack of international support could accelerate collapse.