Islamic State and Al-Qaeda Threat Escalates Across Africa, Fueling Instability
The threat posed by Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliates across Africa has intensified significantly, with recent analyses indicating a surge in militant Islamist violence that is destabilizing key regions. This growing menace is causing widespread fatalities, displacement, and economic instability, particularly in the Sahel, Somalia, and parts of Central Africa.
The Sahel region has emerged as the epicenter of this crisis, accounting for over half of all reported fatalities linked to militant Islamist groups in Africa, a recent ABC News article revealed. In 2024 alone, the Sahel witnessed 11,200 deaths, a threefold increase since 2021, with Burkina Faso bearing the brunt of attacks. Groups like IS Sahel Province and Al-Qaeda’s Sahelian affiliate (JNIM) have executed some of their deadliest assaults in 2025, increasingly targeting civilians and even embedding themselves in local communities by providing basic services where governance is weak.
Beyond the Sahel, Somalia continues to be a hotbed of militant activity, with Al-Shabaab posing a severe threat despite counter-terrorism efforts. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, IS Central Africa Province (ISCAP) has conducted its deadliest attacks since February 2025, often in retaliation for joint military operations. The threat has also expanded into new areas, with Cameroon experiencing a nearly threefold increase in violent episodes linked to militant Islamists since 2022.
Experts point to a complex interplay of factors driving this surge, including pervasive poverty, weak governance, ethnic and religious tensions, and political instability. The evolving strategy of these groups, including the decentralization of ISIS and local factions pledging allegiance to larger brands, allows them to exploit existing grievances and operationalize with greater agility. The international community, including the United States and Russia, is increasingly vying for influence in affected West African nations, highlighting the global implications of Africa’s escalating extremist threat.
