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N'DJAMENA, Chad: A senior UN official issued a stark warning earlier this month that terrorism and organized crime by violent extremist groups with links to al-Qaeda and Daesh are becoming an ever-present threat across West Africa and the Sahel.

This threat is now spreading to the coastal countries of West Africa, suggesting that the world may be recognizing the looming crisis too late.

Statements by UN Special Envoy for the Sahel and West Africa, Leonardo Simao, highlighted an increase in the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, minerals, people and even food.

In the first half of 2024 alone, hundreds of people were killed in terrorist attacks, reflecting a dramatic escalation of violence.

These developments underline the complexity and multifaceted nature of this challenge. The intertwining of terrorism and organised crime networks has created an unstable environment in which insecurity is the norm.

“This instability is also of concern to the international community. As extremist groups tighten their grip, the humanitarian, economic and political consequences threaten to reverberate far beyond Africa’s borders,” Moustapha Saleh, a Chadian security expert, told Arab News.

The situation is exacerbated by recent political unrest. The G5 Sahel, a French-backed alliance coordinating security and development issues in West Africa, collapsed last year after the withdrawal of the military junta-led countries of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

This prompted the US and other Western countries to assist Ghana and neighboring West African coastal states in strengthening their defenses. Although Ghana has not yet faced direct militant violence, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast have been attacked near their borders in recent years, highlighting the growing threat of regional instability.

Nevertheless, the aid for West Africa is meager compared to the support offered to Ukraine, Ghana's President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said in a recent interview.

US aid to Ukraine has risen to $113 billion since the Russian invasion. In comparison, combined EU, UK and US aid to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the same period was a comparatively low $29.6 million.

“Military regimes often face problems of legitimacy and resources, leaving them ill-equipped to deal with the sophisticated and well-funded operations of extremist groups. The lack of international military support has left these countries vulnerable, and the consequences are getting worse,” Saleh said.

This abrupt change has opened the door to a wave of extremism as these countries struggle to fill the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Many Sahel countries are currently turning away from the West in search of an ally to bolster their defenses. The Russian mercenary group Wagner has reportedly stationed contractors and military equipment in several West African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso, over the past two years.

The human toll of this escalating crisis is staggering. In the first six months of 2024, hundreds of civilians have been killed in terrorist attacks. Communities are being torn apart and displacement is reaching unprecedented levels. Refugee camps are becoming increasingly crowded as people flee the violence, creating an urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

In addition, human trafficking is becoming a critical problem. Vulnerable populations are being exploited, sold into slavery or assigned to violent groups. Illegal emigration from West African countries to Europe via the usual migration routes is increasing rapidly.

At the same time, drug and arms trafficking not only finances extremist activities but also fuels further violence, thus creating a vicious circle of instability.

The economic consequences are just as serious. The flourishing illegal trade in natural resources, which includes gold, diamonds and other valuable goods, deprives countries of important sources of income. Instead of financing development and infrastructure, these resources are used to finance terrorism and crime.

The disruption of legal trade routes due to insecurity has crippled the local economy. Farmers and traders are finding it increasingly difficult to transport their goods, leading to food shortages and price increases.

“General economic instability discourages foreign investment and hampers development, further deepening poverty and disenfranchisement,” Saleh said.

Until last year, global support for the fight against terrorism in the Sahel was considerable, with various countries and organizations contributing. The United States played a crucial role with its drone bases in Niger and Burkina Faso and around 1,000 troops in the region.

France has been a prominent supporter through its military operations, such as Operation Barkhane, which was headquartered in Chad and involved around 4,000 soldiers at its peak. The aim was to secure the region and combat terrorism in partnership with local forces in Mali, Niger and Chad.

The EU training mission and the EU capacity-building mission also played a role until the coup wave caught the region by surprise. As a result, it became impossible for Western governments to continue military cooperation with hostile juntas.

But given the severity of the current crisis, many experts say the world cannot afford to look away. “The international community must recognize that the threats posed by the Sahel and West Africa are not limited to the region but have global implications,” Souley Amalkher, a Nigerien security expert, told Arab News.

Terrorism and organized crime in these areas can destabilize entire continents, disrupt global trade and trigger mass migrations. “There is also a risk that these extremist ideologies will spread beyond Africa and pose a security threat to other regions,” Amalkher said.

Experts believe that the spread of extremist ideologies and the presence of terrorist groups in West Africa will lead to instability that could also affect the Arabian Peninsula.

They believe that the pro-Western Gulf states are already supporting the fight against terrorism in West Africa, but need to reorient their strategies in light of the recent dissolution of the G5 Sahel region.

Overcoming this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, argue the experts, pointing out that a combination of short-term and long-term strategies is needed.

“Immediate measures should include restoring military partnerships. It is critical to restore and strengthen military cooperation with international partners, as this would provide local forces with the necessary support to effectively counter the extremist threat,” Lauren Mitchel, a security expert at the Washington-based Institute of Peace, told Arab News.

Humanitarian assistance is also crucial. Immediate and comprehensive support is needed to assist the displaced population and meet their basic needs such as food, water and medical care.

In addition, increased border controls and stronger international cooperation are essential to dismantling smuggling networks. This includes better information sharing and coordinated action by law enforcement authorities.

Long-term solutions usually focus on economic development and supporting projects that promote self-sustainability.

“This includes building infrastructure, creating jobs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security,” Mitchel said.

Analysts have found that providing education and job training to young people can help prevent their recruitment by extremist groups, and social programs that combat poverty and disenfranchisement are critical for long-term stability.

They believe that international efforts should focus on facilitating the transition to stable, civilian-led administrations that are able to effectively meet and respond to the needs of their populations.