With violent extremism responsible for more than half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide, the Sahel region faces a complicated security crisis. Illicit economies, especially illicit drug smuggling, illegal gold mining, and illegal arms trafficking, are the main causes of this violence. By charging taxes and providing safety to mining villages, extremist organizations take advantage of governance gaps to strengthen their hold on territory and attract supporters.
West Africa is thought to have 12 million illicit weapons, which further destabilizes the area and fuels violent cycles in which both civilians and vigilante groups participate. Insecurity is made worse by artisanal weapons manufacture and porous borders. Disillusionment among young people has also resulted in substance addiction and heightened susceptibility to criminal recruiting.
Effective solutions are hampered by fragmented regional collaboration and insufficient governmental competence, notwithstanding current legislative frameworks. Although it needs to get over internal resistance and take the initiative to interact with Sahelian states, the African Union (AU) is in a strong position to spearhead coordinated efforts. Destroying the illegal networks that support extremism requires reviving programs like the Nouakchott Process and putting in place cooperative border patrols, intelligence sharing, and youth-centered development.
