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Counter-Terrorism and State Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa
Subject area: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities · Area of research: Conflict Resolution
Abstract
The global terrorist hotspot Sub-Saharan Africa's intricate nexus between counter-terrorism and state instability is examined in this research. A rigorous secondary assessment of 2015–2025 studies from throughout the continent illustrates how governance lapses allow terrorist groups to operate, how counter-terrorism operations affect state fragility, and how to create more sustainable methods. The spatial Security Complex and Postcolonial State Theory explored the terrorism-fragility nexus's geographical, political, organisational, institutional, and historical aspects. State fragility and counter-terrorism may exacerbate terrorism, according to the research. JNIM, Al-Shabaab, and Islamic State affiliates exploit institutional weakness, political instability, systemic corruption, and legitimacy gaps. This entity's taxation, dispute settlement, and services offer governance alternatives in countries lacking or exploitative states. Military counter-terrorism is threatened by rebel rule. Regional Security Complex Theory states that security challenges are regional and require regional solutions, however the G5 Sahel Joint Force and Multinational Joint Task Force have political and operational constraints. Securitisation Theory justified extreme measures that undermine states by presenting terrorism as an existential danger. Outside military activities generate "rented sovereignty," while "counter-terrorism coup cycles" have taken over Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Nigeria's Operation Safe Corridor, Kenya's National Strategy, and Kaduna State show that deradicalisation, community participation, and economic growth work. The study recommended that in order to adequately fight terrorism, states must compete with rebel administrations to provide security, justice, and services to all inhabitants. African governments, regional organisations, foreign partners, civil society, and future researchers should prioritise African views and root causes and symptoms.
Keywords
counter-terrorism, state fragility, sub-saharan africa, sahel, regional security, rebel governance
How to cite this paper
@article{1720017,
author = {Azowue O. Emmanuel, PhD, Uwoh Michael Benjamin, PhD, Ubelejit Renner Ikuru, PhD},
title = {Counter-Terrorism and State Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {4192-4203},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1720017.pdf},
abstract = {The global terrorist hotspot Sub-Saharan Africa's intricate nexus between counter-terrorism and state instability is examined in this research. A rigorous secondary assessment of 2015–2025 studies from throughout the continent illustrates how governance lapses allow terrorist groups to operate, how counter-terrorism operations affect state fragility, and how to create more sustainable methods. The spatial Security Complex and Postcolonial State Theory explored the terrorism-fragility nexus's geographical, political, organisational, institutional, and historical aspects. State fragility and counter-terrorism may exacerbate terrorism, according to the research. JNIM, Al-Shabaab, and Islamic State affiliates exploit institutional weakness, political instability, systemic corruption, and legitimacy gaps. This entity's taxation, dispute settlement, and services offer governance alternatives in countries lacking or exploitative states. Military counter-terrorism is threatened by rebel rule. Regional Security Complex Theory states that security challenges are regional and require regional solutions, however the G5 Sahel Joint Force and Multinational Joint Task Force have political and operational constraints. Securitisation Theory justified extreme measures that undermine states by presenting terrorism as an existential danger. Outside military activities generate "rented sovereignty," while "counter-terrorism coup cycles" have taken over Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Nigeria's Operation Safe Corridor, Kenya's National Strategy, and Kaduna State show that deradicalisation, community participation, and economic growth work. The study recommended that in order to adequately fight terrorism, states must compete with rebel administrations to provide security, justice, and services to all inhabitants. African governments, regional organisations, foreign partners, civil society, and future researchers should prioritise African views and root causes and symptoms.},
keywords = {counter-terrorism, state fragility, sub-saharan africa, sahel, regional security, rebel governance},
month = {July},
}