Regional Instability and Transnational Security Threats in West and Central Africa: Implications for International Peacebuilding

West and Central Africa are now at the heart of growing instability, where local conflicts and cross-border security threats are putting serious pressure on both African efforts and international peace missions. This study investigates on how weak governance, terrorist groups, criminal networks, and separatist struggles have come together to create a complicated and fragile situation. It further investigates and focuses on key examples such as Boko Haram operations in the Lake Chad region, the Tuareg rebellions in Mali, and the crisis between English-speaking and French-speaking communities in Cameroon. These challenges do not stop at national borders. They take advantage of poor institutions, open frontiers, and deep social and economic divides. Due to this situation, violence keeps reoccurring in many communities. Thus, the research shows that heavy reliance on military solutions, most especially those led by foreign countries or large peacekeeping forces, often fails to deal with the deeper problems that fuel these conflicts. Instead, the study suggests a different approach. It calls for stronger cooperation between African countries, better political leadership that includes all voices, and local peace efforts that are rooted in trust and community needs. True and lasting peace will only come when security efforts are combined with long-term development, open dialogue to prevent conflict, and support for communities to recover and grow stronger. More so, the findings of this research encourage a major change in how global actors support peace in Africa. Instead of waiting to react to crises, there should be a clear focus on protecting people, building stronger institutions, and creating conditions where peace can take root and last over time.