Africa at Risk: The Sahel’s Slide Toward a Jihadist State

The Sahel, a narrow belt between the Sahara Desert and sub-Saharan Africa, is fast becoming one of the world’s most dangerous regions. Once largely ignored, the area now shapes security far beyond Africa. In 2024, the Sahel accounted for more than half of global terrorism deaths, with nearly 3,900 people killed in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso alone.

For global policymakers, the central Sahel has moved from the periphery to the center of the security map, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated regional and international responses.

Jihadist Groups Challenging Mali’s Government

In Mali, Islamist groups are attempting to topple the military government and establish a jihadist proto-state. Two groups dominate the region: Islamic State in the Sahel and Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Al Qaeda’s regional affiliate.

Together, these groups control large areas of northern and central Mali, operating with increasing