West Africa A Potential ‘Powder Keg’ Due To Spreading Sahel Terrorism

The rise of terrorism and violent extremism continues to undermine security and stability in the Sahel. A marked increase in attacks by armed groups and terrorists on military bases and civilians across the central Sahel have occurred since the beginning of 2025 when Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which offered counterterrorism support. In West Africa, terrorism has had an immense impact on the social, political, economic and security fabrics of the many fragile states. Terrorist acts lead to insecurity and political instability, while also affecting the economic bedrock of West African…