The escalation of terrorism in 2023 has marked a significant and troubling milestone, with 8,352 fatalities recorded, a 22% increase from the previous year, reaching the highest level since 2017. This alarming trend, detailed in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2024, underscores the shifting landscape of global terrorism, with the central Sahel region now surpassing the Middle East as the primary epicenter. The Islamic State (IS) and Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, have emerged as the most active terrorist groups, highlighting the evolving and persistent threat of terrorism.
The GTI report reveals a nuanced picture of the fight against terrorism. While there has been a general decline in terrorism-related deaths over the past few years, 2023 witnessed a significant resurgence. This uptick is set against a backdrop of increasing violent conflicts beyond terrorism, challenging the Federal Government’s efforts to maintain peace, particularly in Borno State, Nigeria. The demise of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in May 2021 has further complicated the landscape, fuelling conflicts between jihadist factions and contributing to Nigeria’s ranking among the top 10 countries most affected by terrorism.
Nigeria, in particular, saw a stark increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2023, recording a 34% rise to 524 fatalities – the highest since 2020. This surge is attributed to escalated conflicts between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWA) and Boko Haram, underscoring the complex dynamics at play within the region’s terrorist activities. Civilians have borne the brunt of these attacks for the second consecutive year, with over a quarter of all attacks targeting this group, followed closely by military and law enforcement personnel.
ISWA’s role as Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist group for four consecutive years is particularly noteworthy, accounting for 53% of the country’s terrorism-related deaths and 37% of terrorist incidents in 2023. Despite a slight decrease in the number of ISWA terrorist attacks, the lethality of these incidents has increased, with the death toll rising by 27% to 276 – the highest in the past three years. The intensifying conflict between ISWA and Boko Haram has not only exacerbated the terrorism threat in Nigeria but has also led to significant casualties among Boko Haram militants, indicating a brutal internal strife within the jihadist factions.
The GTI report also sheds light on the broader implications of terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region, which now accounts for nearly half of all global terrorism deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia collectively contributed to 94% of terrorism-related fatalities in 2023, with sub-Saharan Africa alone accounting for nearly 59%. This stark statistic underscores the region’s critical role in the global terrorism landscape and the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the underlying causes and manifestations of this threat.
The deterioration of the situation in Burkina Faso, with an alarming 68% increase in terrorism-related deaths, highlights the persistent and growing challenge of terrorism in the region. The report’s findings emphasize the necessity for global policymakers to address the root causes of terrorism, including weak governance, corruption, and human rights violations, which fuel the rise of extremist groups and perpetuate cycles of violence.
The rise of terrorism in 2023, as outlined in the GTI report, calls for a multifaceted approach to counterterrorism that includes both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. This approach necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political dynamics that facilitate the growth of terrorism and a concerted effort to address these challenges through education, social reorientation, and the promotion of tolerance. The report’s insights into the deadliest terrorist groups and the shifting epicenters of terrorism provide a crucial foundation for developing effective counterterrorism measures and fostering a more secure and peaceful global environment.
Source: The Guardian
