Africa at a Crossroads: UN Urges Development-Led Solutions as Terror Threat Deepens

UNITED NATIONS, New York — As terrorism tightens its grip across Africa, international leaders and African officials alike are sounding the alarm: without urgent, development-focused intervention, the continent risks becoming the global epicenter of extremist violence. In a recent United Nations Security Council debate, speakers warned that the crisis has reached a “tipping point,” with long-standing structural issues—such as poverty, youth unemployment, and weak state presence—providing fertile ground for terrorist networks to grow.

The figures are grim. Sub-Saharan Africa currently accounts for nearly 60 percent of terrorism-related deaths worldwide, according to United Nations data. In some regions, like the Sahel, violence has surged to historic highs. Burkina Faso alone recorded a 68 percent rise in fatalities from terrorism in 2024, pushing it to the top of global terrorism-related deaths. Across the continent, Al-Qaida and Da’esh affiliates, along with groups like Al-Shabaab and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), continue to exploit fragile governance and economic despair.

“Terrorism is the most significant threat to peace, security, and sustainable development across the African continent today,” said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, who called for a rethink of global and regional strategies to tackle the crisis.

Why Africa Is Ground Zero

The rapid spread of terrorism in Africa is not merely a security issue—it is the symptom of deeper economic and political vulnerabilities. Decades of underinvestment in youth, inadequate education systems, and a lack of economic opportunities have left millions susceptible to radical ideologies.

With Africa’s population expected to double by 2050—half of it under the age of 25—the need to create inclusive growth and jobs is more pressing than ever. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates youth unemployment in some African countries hovers around 12%, with underemployment even higher. Without tangible change, this demographic dividend could turn into a demographic disaster.

“If we don’t act, we risk losing this generation to the horrors of terrorism,” warned Mohammed.

“African Solutions to African Problems”

The African Union (AU) has pushed for regional ownership over counter-terrorism strategies. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, highlighted initiatives like the Multinational Joint Task Force combating Boko Haram and the AU Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) as examples of successful African-led missions.

“We have reached a tipping point, and we must act together,” Adeoye stated, calling for sustained international support and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which enhances AU-led peace operations.

The message from African leaders was clear: external support must reinforce, not replace, African leadership. Local communities, civil society, and traditional institutions must be empowered to build resilience from the ground up.

A Technological and Transnational Threat

Modern terrorism in Africa is also adapting. Militants are increasingly turning to the digital space—using encrypted apps, the dark web, and social media platforms to recruit, spread propaganda, and move funds. Namibia’s representative at the UN highlighted how these new technologies are allowing terrorist groups to evade detection and expand their reach.

INTERPOL, through its global counter-terrorism database and real-time policing networks, has played a key role in disrupting these digital operations. In 2024 alone, INTERPOL-supported actions in Africa led to over 120 arrests, reflecting how essential information-sharing has become in the fight against terrorism.

“Effective counter-terrorism hinges on robust intelligence exchange and regional coordination,” said Dominique Bahorera, INTERPOL Deputy Special Representative.

Global Responsibility, Local Leadership

Many African nations reiterated that while security assistance is welcome, what they truly need are the tools to address root causes: access to education, infrastructure, fair economic systems, and local governance. Leaders from South Sudan and Somalia cautioned against externally imposed models, urging instead for partnerships that respect sovereignty and build internal capacity.

“Africa does not need solutions imposed from outside, but partnerships that recognize and support our capacity to solve our own challenges,” said South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ramadhan Abdalla Mohamed Goc.

Meanwhile, others pointed fingers at international interventions that have destabilized African states. Russia’s representative, for example, blamed the 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya for creating a vacuum that allowed terrorism to flourish across the Sahel—a view supported by analysts at the Council on Foreign Relations, who have documented the ripple effects of Libya’s collapse on neighboring regions.

The Way Forward: Invest in Peace, Not Just Security

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need for a holistic approach—one that goes beyond military responses and tackles the socioeconomic drivers of extremism. Regional blocs like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are investing in peace education, religious tolerance programs, and initiatives aimed at preventing radicalization at the grassroots level.

But success will require a shift in global priorities. The international community must stop viewing Africa’s terrorism crisis as a remote security issue and start treating it as a shared global challenge. As terrorism increasingly transcends borders—both physical and digital—no country remains untouched.

“The time to act is now,” said Nigeria’s delegate. “Africa’s future is not just Africa’s concern—it’s the world’s.”

Read Also: The Voice of Africa is Now Inside the United Nations