Over the past decade, there has been a sharp rise in terrorism on the African continent. Both state and non-state entities, encompassing terrorist groups, militias, rebel factions, and more, have increasingly targeted civilians in their campaigns of violence. From Somalia to Mali and Sudan to Mozambique, the continent has repeatedly witnessed gruesome acts of violence.
Western and Northern parts of Africa primarily encompass vast and sparsely populated areas, spanning some of the most rugged landscapes on earth. Its geographical complexities present numerous challenges to effective governance and the establishment of security measures. Serving as a setting for both state security forces and terrorist groups, the region features urban and desert terrains, challenging intelligence collection and logistical operations. The under-resourced governments in the region have frequently depended on political suppression and brutality for sustained counterterrorism efforts, rather than employing security operations that integrate comprehensive law enforcement, development, and political cooperation.
The underlying reasons for the rise of terrorism in Africa are complex and systemic. They encompass issues such as inefficient water resource management, severe drought, food shortages, ethnic polarization, rapid population growth, prevalent diseases, external interventions by economically motivated powers, geopolitical competition, the spread of transnational radical Salafi-Islamic ideology, as well as the presence of weak and corrupt governments and inadequately equipped armies.
Amidst these struggles, conflicts and geopolitical dynamics within Africa tend to occupy a secondary status in global news. This article delves into three significant facets underscoring Africa’s present struggles – the civil war in Sudan, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the rising specter of terrorism in the Sahel region.
Sudan Civil War
The ongoing civil war in Sudan between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has resulted in the death of at least 12,000 people and the displacement of seven million others in the northeast African nation of 45 million people.
The downfall of Omar al-Bashir‘s 30-year regime in 2019, orchestrated with the involvement of the RSF, did not lead to democratization. Instead, it set the stage for a power struggle between two strongmen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto ruler, heads the official Sudanese military, while General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, commands the RSF. The two initially joined forces for a coup in 2021, toppling a civilian government that emerged two years after al-Bashir’s ouster. However, they are now in conflict for control over the nation.
The war has spread to 10 of Sudan’s 18 states, further destabilizing a country that is already suffering from violence, displacement and poverty. Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF in Khartoum, the capital, have triggered a spread of unrest into other states, including South and Central Darfur and South Kordofan. This escalation has brought to light both historical and new divides among Arabs and Africans, Muslims and Christians, as well as semi-nomadic pastoralists and agriculturalists.
As a result, militias and local self-defense groups have emerged, heightening the competition for resources and strategic routes in Darfur and the Red Sea state. In Khartoum, the RSF controls crucial areas, prompting the SAF to respond with increased airstrikes on RSF strongholds.
The RSF has established four regional military bases, and incidents like the kidnapping and killing of the West Darfur governor and the Ardamata massacre, claiming nearly 1200 lives, underscore the severity of the situation. Ethnic tensions persist in West Darfur and South Kordofan, with ongoing clashes involving the SAF, rebel groups, and rival ethnic militias. Additionally, resistance against the Sudanese regime remains robust in the Nuba Mountains.
In the north, violence has erupted, particularly in the Red Sea state, where Port Sudan, a key logistics hub, witnessed clashes in September between the SAF and local militias. These militias, despite opposing the RSF, resist the army’s presence due to concerns about losing power, access to strategic routes, and resources.
Sahel
Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania collectively form the Sahel region, also known as the G5 Sahel. The Sahel faces challenges due to its vast and inhospitable terrain, making it difficult to control. Jihadist violence emerged in 2012 following a rebellion in northern Mali, spreading to the central region and neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. This conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over 3.5 million people.
The Sahel region, a stage for conflicts involving major global powers, witnessed three coups in three countries within three years. In 2021, Mali experienced a coup, followed by Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023. These coups involved military takeovers, detentions of presidents, and the establishment of military juntas. The deteriorating situation prompted Mali and Burkina Faso to issue a joint statement on August 1, 2023, declaring any military intervention in Niger as a ‘declaration of war’ against both countries.
The Sahel region, spanning from Senegal to Eritrea, has long faced security and humanitarian crises. Over half of the population lives below the poverty line, and terrorism and organized crime pose significant threats. Islamist extremist groups, including ISGS, FLM, and JNIM, contribute to escalating violence. In 2021 alone, the Sahel saw a 70% increase in fatalities linked to extremist violence, reaching 4,839 deaths. This surge underscores the Sahel’s emergence as a hotspot for Islamist extremism, with a 2,000% growth in terrorism over the past 16 years.
Democratic Republic of Congo
In late 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced a surge in violence leading up to its December national elections. Factors such as conflicts over resources, extrajudicial killings, political violence, and heightened tensions with Rwanda contributed to this deadly conflict. The UN reported a record 6.9 million internally displaced people, predominantly in eastern Congo.
Background
Since 1994, conflict in eastern DRC, stemming from the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide, has resulted in six million deaths. The First Congo War in 1996, involving Rwandan and Congolese forces, led to Laurent Kabila’s presidency. The Second Congo War in 1998, marked by shifting alliances and widespread violence, saw Joseph Kabila assume power in 2001.
The 21st century witnessed the rise of rebel groups like the M23, causing tensions and prompting UN interventions. The region’s significant mineral resources, such as cobalt and copper, attracted global interest, dominated by Chinese companies in the mining industry.
Recent Developments
In 2022, M23 rebels resurfaced, gaining control in North Kivu by July 2023. Tensions between DRC and Rwanda heightened, resulting in accusations of supporting rebel groups. A late November pact, brokered by the US, aimed to reduce military presence and hate speech, but political animosity persisted.
The withdrawal of international forces, including the UN peacekeeping mission, raised concerns about a security vacuum, coinciding with the highly contested December 20, 2023, presidential election. The DRC’s political landscape is marked by attacks on candidates, corruption concerns in the electoral commission, and the potential for increased violence and displacement.
With nearly 7 million internally displaced people, the DRC urgently requires humanitarian aid. The complex dynamics involving neighboring countries, global economic interests, and internal conflicts highlight the formidable challenges facing the nation.
CONCLUSION
The surge of terrorism in Africa presents a disturbing trend that demands urgent attention. The complex and systemic factors driving this rise, including issues like inefficient resource management, drought, food shortages, ethnic polarization, and external interventions, highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by the continent.
The case studies of Sudan’s civil war, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the terrorism in the Sahel region underscore the gravity of the situation. The ongoing struggles in these regions, marked by violence, displacement, and political instability, emphasize the need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts.
As Africa grapples with these security crises, it is imperative for the international community to prioritize diplomatic resolutions, humanitarian aid, and collaborative strategies. The interconnected nature of these challenges requires a unified approach that addresses both the immediate security concerns and the underlying systemic issues contributing to the rise of terrorism. Only through concerted global efforts can Africa work towards sustainable peace, stability, and resilience against the threat of terrorism.
