Burkina Faso has been identified as the country most affected by terrorism for two consecutive years, highlighting a significant shift in the region's security dynamics.

The GTI warns that the threat of terrorism may spill over into neighboring countries, as evidenced by Togo recording the highest number of attacks and deaths since the index began, suggesting a potential regional expansion of militant activities.

While global terrorism deaths have declined since their peak in 2015, the Sahel has seen a nearly tenfold increase in such deaths since 2019, as extremist groups increasingly focus their efforts on this volatile region.

The Sahel region of Africa has emerged as the epicenter of global terrorism, accounting for over half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide, with 3,885 fatalities out of a total of 7,555, as reported by the Global Terrorism Index (GTI).

The GTI report attributes this alarming trend to political instability and weak governance, labeling the Sahel as the 'coup belt' of Africa, having experienced six successful coups since 2020, all leading to military rule.

Compounding these issues, the Sahel faces a demographic crisis, with some of the highest birth rates globally, where nearly two-thirds of the population is under the age of 25.

Militant jihadist groups, particularly the Islamic State affiliate in the Sahel and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), are primarily responsible for the majority of attacks in the region as they compete for land and influence.

Since the coups in Mali during 2020 and 2021, the Islamic State-Sahel has reportedly doubled its territorial control, especially in the eastern regions bordering Burkina Faso and Niger.

These jihadist groups engage in various illicit economic activities, such as kidnappings for ransom and drug trafficking, which not only sustain their operations but also help them integrate into local communities.

In response to the escalating threat of terrorism, Sahel governments are shifting their alliances from Western nations to China and Russia, with Russian paramilitaries becoming increasingly active in the region.