Journal of African Development

Introduction

The Sahel—a semi-arid belt stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and including Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger—has become the epicenter of violent extremism and youth radicalization in Africa. Over the last decade, this region has witnessed a dramatic rise in attacks by militant groups, deepening insecurity, humanitarian crises, and threatening the fabric of states and societies. The youth, constituting the majority of the Sahel’s population, are both the most vulnerable to extremist recruitment and the greatest hope for resilience and peace. Understanding the drivers, impacts, and solutions to violent extremism and youth radicalization in the Sahel is a critical challenge for continental and global stability^[1][2][3].

Historical and Socio-Political Context

The resilience of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel arises from multiple, overlapping factors:

• Weak Governance: Chronic corruption, frequent coups, human rights violations, and centralization of power have undermined state legitimacy and left vast rural areas marginalized^[1].
• Socio-Economic Marginalization: Rural youth face high unemployment, scarce access to education and health services, and little hope for upward mobility^[2][3].
• Environmental Stress: The Sahel is on the frontlines of climate change, with erratic rainfall and shrinking arable land leading to competition for scarce resources, migration, and ethnic conflict^[4][5].
• Demographic Pressure: The Sahel has the world’s fastest growing and youngest population, with an urgent need for jobs and social services^[2].
• Security Vacuum: Recurrent coups, fragile armies, and porous borders have enabled the rise of transnational extremist networks^[1][6].

Rise and Evolution of Violent Extremism

Main Actors and Trends

Several prominent armed groups have established strongholds in the Sahel:

• Tactics: Attacks on civilians, military, and infrastructure; use of IEDs; kidnapping; resource theft and targeted assassinations.
• Trends: The frequency of attacks and fatalities has increased dramatically since 2015, with central Mali, northern Burkina Faso, and western Niger experiencing the highest concentration of violence^[7][4].
• Targets: Youth are increasingly recruited as fighters, couriers, and informants. Disproportionate violence, including the deliberate targeting of educators and humanitarian workers, is used to erode state presence and instill fear^[7][4].

Trends in Violent Events (2015–2024)

*Figures are illustrative based on documented growth patterns in the region^[7][4].

Drivers of Youth Radicalization

Economic and Social Grievances

• Unemployment and Poverty: High rates of joblessness—often exceeding 50% among youth—leave many vulnerable to the economic incentives offered by militant groups^[2][3].
• Educational Exclusion: Attacks on schools, inadequate infrastructure, and discriminatory policies worsen illiteracy and further marginalize young people^[7][3].
• Disconnection from State: Many youth perceive state institutions as corrupt, abusive, or entirely absent, driving them to seek community or protection in armed groups^[1][3].

Identity and Social Networks

• Religious and Ethnic Dynamics: Extremist ideologies exploit existing grievances, presenting armed struggle as a path to dignity, belonging, or justice.
• Peer Influence: Youth are often recruited through personal networks—friends, family, or local leaders—rather than by ideology alone^[8][3].

Climate Change and Resource Competition

The destabilizing effect of climate change is now recognized as a potent driver:

• Resource Scarcity: Loss of grazing land and water increases inter-community conflict, which extremists exploit for recruitment and local influence^[5][4].
• Livelihood Loss: Young pastoralists and farmers, whose livelihoods have been devastated by drought or flooding, become susceptible to promises of recruitment incentives or security^[5][4].

Impacts of Violent Extremism

Humanitarian Crisis

• Over 900,000 people displaced in Burkina Faso alone in 2019; millions more region-wide.
• School closures and restricted humanitarian access deprive youth of education and aid^[7].
• Growing food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and trauma/mental health crises.

Destabilization of States

• Persistent attacks undermine governance, enabling further violence and criminality.
• Erosion of trust in government and security forces, often due to abuses and collateral damage during counter-terror efforts^[1][7].

Economic and Social Stagnation

• Suppression of agriculture, trade, and investment due to insecurity.
• Destruction of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and health clinics.

Policy Responses and Regional Initiatives

Security Interventions

• Military Operations: The G5 Sahel Force, Multinational Joint Task Force, France’s Operation Barkhane, and UN peacekeeping missions all target militant networks, but face allegations of excesses and limited long-term impact^[1][9].
• Intelligence and Border Control: International partnerships have improved but remain challenged by corruption, coordination gaps, and transnational group movements^[6][10].

Socio-Economic and Preventive Measures

• Youth Engagement Programs: UN-led and regional initiatives now prioritize empowering youth, fostering employment, peace-building, and leadership at local levels^[2][8].
• Education and Livelihood Training: Expanding access to schools, vocational training, and entrepreneurship are critical to resilience^[2][3].
• Community-Led PVE: Involving civil society and local leaders in prevention, trauma healing, and social cohesion efforts shows promising results but is underfunded and sporadic^[8][2].

Case Study: SAHEL-PVE (Preventing Violent Extremism Network)

• A regional network supporting youth leadership and local best practices; seeks to identify early warning signs and build resilience in partnership with local governments and civil society^[2].

Key Visualizations

1. Major Drivers of Youth Radicalization in the Sahel (2025, % of survey respondents)

Numbers are illustrative summaries from multi-agency surveys and reports^[3][4].

2. Geographical Spread of Violent Extremist Incidents (2024)

• Central Mali, north and east Burkina Faso, and western Niger are the epicenter, but the threat is spreading southward and threatens coastal states^[7][4].
• The Liptako-Gourma tri-border area is the most violence-affected sub-region.

3. Climate Change & Extremism: Livestock Theft Surge

• Incidents of livestock theft by violent extremist groups increased by over 400% from 2019 to 2024^[4].
• This not only funds militant activity but also erodes local economies, fueling a cycle of grievance and insecurity.

Challenges and Gaps

Recommendations

• Strengthen Local Governance: Build capacity, accountability, and inclusive state presence in neglected areas.
• Prioritize Youth Employment and Education: Large-scale investments in jobs, vocational training, and schools are the best defense.
• Scale up Community and Youth-Led Initiatives: Support grassroot organizations to build peace, trust, and alternative narratives to violence.
• Integrate Climate Adaptation with PVE: Address climate resilience alongside security to reduce shocks that fuel recruitment.
• Enhance Regional and International Cooperation: Pool resources for intelligence, best practice sharing, and support for the G5 Sahel and related platforms.

Conclusion

Violent extremism and youth radicalization in the Sahel are complex, multi-dimensional crises driven by governance failures, economic exclusion, climate shocks, and social disruptions. Solutions require moving beyond militarized responses to embrace holistic approaches centered on youth empowerment, inclusive development, and climate adaptation. By harnessing the positive potential of its youth, the Sahel can turn the tide against extremism and chart a path to security, prosperity, and peace^[1][2][3][4].

References

1. https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/violent-extremism-sahel
2. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/terrorism/latest-news/2024-unodc-continues-to-support-regional-youth-engagement-in-sahel-to-prevent-radicalization-and-violent-extremism.html
3. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/cba94462-42ee-4c49-bd18-517db98d8df6/content
4. https://institute.global/insights/geopolitics-and-security/from-crisis-to-conflict-climate-change-and-violent-extremism-in-the-sahel
5. https://unicri.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/Perceptions of climate change and violent extremism_0.pdf
6. https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Terrorism/Counter-terrorism-projects/G5-Sahel
7. https://africacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ASB36EN-Responding-to-the-Rise-in-Violent-Extremism-in-the-Sahel-Africa-Center-for-Strategic-Studies.pdf
8. https://icct.nl/sites/default/files/import/event/UNGA-Concept-Note-EN.pdf
9. https://onu.delegfrance.org/France-committed-to-assisting-the-countries-of-the-Sahel-in-addressing-the
10. https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2025/07/informal-interactive-dialogue-on-enhancing-regional-counter-terrorism-cooperation-in-west-africa-and-the-sahel.php