Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, revealed that sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over half of global deaths caused by violent extremism and terrorism. He made this statement at the first Annual International Public Lecture of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, themed “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2014): Genesis, Impact, and Lessons for Nigeria.”
Touray, represented by Dr. Isaac Armstrong from the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, pointed to the latest Global Terrorism Index, which indicates the shift of the terrorism epicenter from the Middle East to the Central Sahel. ECOWAS member states are among the hardest hit, with 50% of violent extremism victims from these countries.
Burkina Faso has been the most impacted, experiencing a 68% increase in deaths despite a 17% reduction in attacks. Among the top 10 most affected countries globally, Burkina Faso ranks first, Mali fourth, Nigeria eighth, and Niger tenth.
Touray also highlighted the severe humanitarian consequences of terrorism, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where 4.8 million people face food insecurity, 2.4 million are displaced, and nearly 9,000 schools remain closed. The spread of terrorist activities has extended beyond the Sahel to coastal West African countries.