The presence of Jihadist Terrorism in the Sahel: A Comparative Analysis between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

Abstract

El Sahel es una región africana que abarca la parte septentrional del continente africano. Limita con el desierto del Sahara y la sabana sudanesa, y se caracteriza por su fragilidad política, económica y social. Sin embargo, como se demostrará en este documento, estos no son los únicos problemas a los que se enfrenta la región. Uno de los temas de mayor actualidad en el Sahel y en el mundo, es el aumento de la actividad yihadista. Sin presuponer nada, analizaremos el concepto de terrorismo, sus características y diferentes clasificaciones, para continuar con el terrorismo que actúa en nombre del Islam. A continuación, presentaremos los esfuerzos para hacer frente a esta amenaza y ofreceremos las características más relevantes de esta actividad. Después, se analizarán en profundidad los orígenes de la región del Sahel -considerada como un conglomerado social de diferentes pueblos-, donde se considerarán factores como el colonialismo y la presencia internacional. A su vez, se explorarán los grupos yihadistas presentes y los fallos de la lucha antiterrorista. Por último, se realizará un estudio comparativo de tres países de la región (Burkina Faso, Mali y Níger) en cuanto a atentados, tráfico de armas de fuego e intervención internacional en la zona. El objetivo es comprender mejor las causas y el contexto que promueven la actividad terrorista, que ha provocado una inmensa inestabilidad en toda la región.

The Sahel is an African region covering the northern part of the African continent. The Sahel is bordered by the Sahara Desert and the Sudanese savannah, and is characterized by political, economic, and social fragility. However, as this paper will demonstrate, these are not the only problems facing the region. One of the most topical issues in the Sahel and the world, is the increase in jihadist activity. Without presupposing anything, we will analyze the concept of terrorism, its characteristics, and different classifications, to continue with terrorism acting in the name of Islam or jihadism. The Sahel is an African region covering the northern part of the African continent. The Sahel is bordered by the Sahara Desert and the Sudanese savannah, and is characterized by political, economic, and social fragility. However, as this paper will demonstrate, these are not the only problems the region is facing. One of the most topical issues in the Sahel and the world, is the increase in jihadist activity. Without presupposing anything, we will analyze the concept of terrorism, its characteristics, and different classifications, to continue with terrorism acting in the name of Islam. We will then present the efforts to deal with this threat and provide the most relevant features of this activity. Then, the origins of the Sahel region – considered as a social conglomerate of different peoples - will be analyzed in depth, where factors such as colonialism and international presence will be considered. In turn, the jihadist groups present, and the failures of counterterrorism will be explored. Finally, a comparative study will be made of three countries in the region (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) in terms of attacks, firearms trafficking, and international intervention in the area. The aim is to better understand the causes and context that promote terrorist activity, which has led to immense instability throughout the region.