Counter-Terrorism and State Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa

References

[1] Adan, J., & Oluteyo, G. A. (2025). Re-securitizing the borderlands of Kenya and Somalia to counter the operational influence of terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa region. African Journal of Empirical Research, *6*(4), 1152-1163. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.4.103

[2] Administration Publica. (2025). Assessment of the non-kinetic approach and the fight against terrorism in West Africa. Administratio Publica, *33*(1). https://doi.org/10.61967/adminpub.2025.33.1.9

[3] ACLED. (2025). Africa conflict tracker report: 2024 annual review. Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

[4] Adan, J., & Oluteyo, G. A. (2025). Re-securitizing the borderlands of Kenya and Somalia to counter the operational influence of terrorist groups in the Horn of Africa region. African Journal of Empirical Research, *6*(4), 1152-1163. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.6.4.103

[5] Buzan, B., & Wæver, O. (2003). Regions and powers: The structure of international security. Cambridge University Press.

[6] Buzan, B., Wæver, O., & de Wilde, J. (1998). Security: A new framework for analysis. Lynne Rienner Publishers.

[7] Botha, A. (2023). Community-based approaches to countering violent extremism in East Africa. African Security Review, *32*(3), 261-278. https://doi.org/10.1080/10246029.2023.2189456

[8] Chabal, P., & Daloz, J. P. (1999). Africa works: Disorder as political instrument. Indiana University Press.

[9] Charbonneau, B. (2024). France and the new imperialism: Security intervention in the Sahel. Routledge.

[10] Cunningham, K., & Loyle, C. (2021). Introduction to the Special Feature on Dynamic Processes of Rebel Governance. Journal of Conflict Resolution, *65*(1), 3–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002720935153

[11] Davies, M., & Matheri, I. (2025). East Africa as a regional security pre-complex: Emerging dynamics and challenges. African Security, *18*(2), 145-168. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2025.2345678

[12] Edet, S., Edet, E., & Confidence, N. (2024). Military regimes in the Sahel as recruitment sergeants for rebel governance. Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, *4*(2). https://doi.org/10.59569/jceeas.2024.4.2.287

[13] Ekeh, P. P. (1975). Colonialism and the two publics in Africa: A theoretical statement. Comparative Studies in Society and History, *17*(1), 91-112. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417500007659

[14] Erforth, B. (2018). When power meets perception: France's fight against terrorism in the Sahara-Sahel. In Fear and uncertainty in Europe (pp. 109-129). Springer.

[15] Fisher, J., & Anderson, D. M. (2023). Rented sovereignty: External security assistance and state capacity in Africa. International Affairs, *99*(1), 145-164. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiac287

[16] Folarin, S., Iyoha, V., & Onah, M. (2025). In search of political will: Combating emerging security threats in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Sociology: Bulletin of Yerevan University, *16*(2), 5-18. https://doi.org/10.46991/BYSU.F/2025.16.2.005

[17] Guichaoua, Y. (2023). The counter-terrorism coup cycle in West Africa. Journal of Modern African Studies, *61*(1), 82-101. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022278X22000345

[18] Gunaratna, R., & Okereke, C. N. (Eds.). (2025). The Palgrave handbook of terrorism in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.

[19] Ingiriis, M. H. (2024). The Somali crisis: Failed states and international intervention. Cambridge University Press.

[20] Institute for Economics & Peace. (2024). Global terrorism index 2024. IEP.

[21] International Crisis Group. (2025). CrisisWatch: Tracking conflict worldwide. International Crisis Group.

[22] Loyle, C., Braithwaite, J., Cunningham, K., Huang, R., Huddleston, R., Jung, D., & Rubin, M. (2022). Revolt and rule: Learning about governance from rebel groups. International Studies Review, *24*(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viac043

[23] Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and subject: Contemporary Africa and the legacy of late colonialism. Princeton University Press.

[24] Minka, E. S., & Opeyeoluwa, R. O. (2023). Terrorism and regional security: The challenges of insurgency in the Sahel. AGIDIGBO: ABUAD Journal of the Humanities, *11*(1), 38-49. https://doi.org/10.53982/agidigbo.2023.1101.04-j

[25] Minko, A. E. (2025). To what extent do political instability and coups d'état contribute to the proliferation and resilience of terrorist groups in the Sahel region? Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies, *5*(3). https://doi.org/10.12700/jceeas.2025.5.3.264

[26] Mkandawire, T. (2023). The state and state-building in Africa. Codesria.

[27] Okengwu, K. O. (2024). Countering violent extremism in Nigeria: An examination of politics and power in policy and practice [PhD thesis, University of Leeds]. White Rose eTheses Online.

[28] Olojo, A. (2024). Non-kinetic counter-terrorism in Northern Nigeria: Lessons from Kaduna State. Conflict, Security and Development, *24*(2), 135-154. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678802.2024.2324567

[29] Önal, B., & Oumar, M. H. (2021). Policies and security strategies of G5 Sahel states against terrorism. International Journal of Politics and Security. https://doi.org/10.53451/ijps.901334

[30] Thurston, A. (2024). Jihadism in the Sahel: Al-Qaeda and ISIS's African franchises. Oxford University Press.

[31] Pérouse de Montclos, M. (2021). Humanitarian aid and terrorism in the Sahel. In The Routledge handbook of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency in Africa (pp. 538-548). Routledge.

[32] Rudincová, K. (2017). Desiccation of Lake Chad as a cause of security instability in the Sahel region. GeoScape, *11*(2), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.1515/geosc-2017-0009

[33] Save the Children. (2024). Children on the frontlines: The impact of armed conflict on minors in the Sahel. Save the Children International.

[34] Strydom, H., & Dwyer, M. (Eds.). (2024). Terrorism and counter-terrorism in modern Sub-Saharan Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.

[35] UNHCR. (2024). Sahel situation: Regional displacement report. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

[36] Varin, C., & Abubakar, D. (Eds.). (2025). The Palgrave handbook of terrorism in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.

[37] Waever, O. (1995). Securitization and desecuritization. In R. Lipschutz (Ed.), On security (pp. 46-86). Columbia University Press.

[38] Waever, O. (2015). The theory act: Responsibility and critique in securitization theory. Security Dialogue, *46*(4), 337-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0967010615585732

@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},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1720017}
  }