ISSN 3121-8571
Abstract
This paper examines the dynamics of terrorism and insurgency in the Sahel, focusing on the operational, ideological, and regional impacts of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). By analysing their historical evolution, tactics, and cross-border influence, the study highlights how these groups exploit weak state institutions, porous borders, and socioeconomic marginalisation to sustain insurgent operations. Boko Haram’s high-profile attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin contrast with ISGS’s guerrilla warfare and exploitation of ungoverned spaces in the Liptako-Gourma region, yet both contribute to regional instability and humanitarian crises. The paper further evaluates regional and international security responses, including the G5 Sahel Joint Force, ECOWAS, MNJTF, UN initiatives, and international military operations such as Operation Barkhane. Coordination challenges, political rivalries, resource constraints, and intelligence-sharing limitations are identified as persistent obstacles. Drawing on comparative analysis, the study emphasises the interplay between insurgent activity and governance deficits, revealing the necessity of integrated strategies that combine military interventions with socio-economic development, political inclusion, and regional cooperation. Finally, the paper provides policy recommendations and outlines future research directions, including technology in counterterrorism, local perspectives, and climate-security linkages, emphasising the urgent need to implement holistic approaches to secure sustainable peace and stability in the Sahel.
Keywords: Sahel, Boko Haram, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), regional security cooperation, insurgency, counterterrorism strategies