Background

CATER was established to address the persistent issue of terrorism in West Africa, which has been a significant threat to maintaining peace and ensuring the security of citizens in the sub-region. Terrorist activities have severely impacted human existence by instilling fear, restricting free movement, and disrupting economic, educational, and democratic processes. Terrorism represents a form of revolt where individuals or groups impose extreme political, social, and religious ideals that undermine the principles of democratic governance.

The Sahel and the broader West African region have faced escalating threats from terrorism and violent extremism, resulting in substantial devastation. Recently, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) highlighted the growing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises, and insufficient cooperation among states to address these issues. In the central Sahel, conflict-related fatalities from political violence increased by 38%, and civilian deaths rose by over 18%. The West African region is the most affected, accounting for 43% of global terrorism deaths.

Jihadist groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are the primary terrorist factions active in this region. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the three states most affected by terrorism, are currently undergoing complex political transitions and facing significant governance crises. These conditions favor terrorist groups, enabling them to intensify their insurgency and expand their operations into coastal West African countries.

The withdrawal of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the decision by the transitional authorities of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have created major shifts and uncertainties in the region. This environment is conducive to terrorist actors strengthening their positions. While each country in the region faces distinct challenges, they share common issues such as structural vulnerabilities, weak governance, limited state presence, and porous borders.