Despite Progress, the Sahel Remains the Epicenter of Jihadist Movements

The Global Terrorism Index 2026 reports a decrease in terrorism-related violence in several Sahel countries in 2025, with significant reductions in deaths in Burkina Faso and Mali. However, the Sahel remains the most affected region globally, accounting for over half of terrorism-related deaths due to the ongoing activities of groups like JNIM and the Islamic State. Challenges such as weak state control and cross-border threats continue to fuel recruitment.