Coups and Terror in the Sahel

This study investigates the intricate relationship between coups, state fragility, and terrorism in the Sahel region, with a focus on Burkina Faso and Niger. The research contextualizes recent coup attempts and successful seizures of power in West and Central Africa since 2020 within the broader historical landscape of coups on the continent. Coups are increasingly linked to rising state fragility, which fuels the proliferation of terrorist activities, exacerbating instability throughout the Sahel, (Dahiru, 2024; ‘Conflict Watchlist 2023: The Sahel’, no date). Methodologically, this study adopts a multi-faceted approach, combining qualitative analysis of historical data with quantitative assessments of coup occurrences and terrorist incidents. It relies on diverse sources, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) and scholarly research, to discern patterns and dynamics over time. Theoretically, the study explores how the emergence of military juntas and the erosion of state stability precipitate the spread of terrorism in the region.. The paper will show the extent to which terrorist violence has ravaged local economies, displaced populations and disrupted service provision. The study also aims to explain the implications of increased terrorism for regional security, governance, and potential radicalization and recruitment trends in addition to informing policies and interventions aimed at mitigating the complex interplay of coups, state fragility, and terrorism in the Sahel.