Africa has become the global epicenter of terrorism, accounting for over 6,000 deaths annually in the past three years, representing 59% of all global terrorism-related fatalities. This was highlighted by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed during a UN Security Council session focused on terrorism in Africa.

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The Sahel region stands out as the heart of this crisis, with Burkina Faso recording the highest number of terrorism-related deaths worldwide and experiencing a 68% increase over the past three years.

Terrorism Expands in West Africa
Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates have extended their attacks into coastal West African nations, with incidents increasing by over 250% in just two years. Countries such as Benin, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, northern Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo, and Somalia are among the most affected.

Socioeconomic Impact and Generational Risk
Mohammed emphasized that terrorism poses the greatest threat to peace, security, and sustainable development across Africa. Youth marginalization and rising unemployment have left an entire generation vulnerable to extremist recruitment. “If we do not act, we risk losing this generation to the horrors of terrorism,” she warned.

Call for Action and Regional Cooperation
The Deputy Secretary-General urged innovative approaches and stronger regional cooperation as key pillars of an effective counter-terrorism strategy.

Africa is facing a crisis that demands an urgent, coordinated response—not only to mitigate the immediate effects of terrorism but also to address the socioeconomic factors driving its expansion.

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