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N'DJAMENA, Chad: Earlier this month, a top UN official issued a stark warning that terrorism and organized crime by violent extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh are becoming a pervasive threat across West Africa and the Sahel region.

The threat is now spreading to coastal countries in West Africa, suggesting that the world may be waking up too late to the unfolding crisis.

Statements by Leonard Simao, the UN's special representative for the Sahel and West Africa, highlighted the surge in illegal trade in drugs, weapons, mineral resources, people and even food.

Hundreds of people were killed in terrorist attacks in the first half of 2024 alone, indicating a sharp escalation in violence.

These developments highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of this problem. The interweaving of terrorism with organized crime networks has created a volatile environment where security is the norm.

“This instability is also important for the international community. As extremist groups tighten their grip, the humanitarian, economic and political consequences threaten to reverberate far beyond Africa's borders,” Mustafa Saleh, a Chadian security expert, told Arab News.

The situation is further aggravated by recent political upheavals. The G5 Sahel, a French-backed alliance meant to coordinate security and development in West Africa, collapsed last year after the withdrawal of military junta-ruled Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

This prompted the US and other Western countries to help Ghana and neighboring West African coastal countries strengthen their defenses. While Ghana has yet to experience direct violence from the militants, Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast have all suffered attacks near their borders in recent years, illustrating the growing threat of regional instability.

However, aid to West Africa falls short compared to the aid offered to Ukraine, Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufa-Addo said in a recent interview.

US aid to Ukraine after the Russian invasion rose to $113 billion. By contrast, combined EU, UK and US aid to the Economic Community of West African States, a bloc known as ECOWAS, was a relatively paltry $29.6 million over the same period.

“Military regimes often struggle with legitimacy and resources, making them ill-equipped to carry out sophisticated and well-financed operations by extremist groups. The lack of international military support has made these countries vulnerable, and the consequences are becoming more dire,” Saleh said.

The sharp shift has opened the floodgates for a wave of extremism as these countries scramble to fill the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Many Sahel countries are now turning away from the West to find an ally to bolster their defenses. Over the past two years, Wagner's Russian mercenary group has reportedly deployed contractors and military equipment to several West African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso.

The human toll of this growing crisis is staggering. Hundreds of civilians were killed in terrorist attacks in the first six months of 2024. Communities are being torn apart and the displacement of people is reaching unprecedented levels. Refugee camps are expanding as people flee violence, leading to an urgent need for humanitarian aid.

Moreover, human trafficking is becoming an acute problem. Vulnerable populations are exploited, sold into slavery or forced into armed groups. Illegal emigration from West African countries to Europe through normal migration routes is growing rapidly.

Meanwhile, drug and arms trafficking not only funds extremist operations, but also fuels violence, creating a vicious cycle of instability.

The economic consequences are equally severe. The rampant illegal trade in mineral resources, including gold, diamonds and other valuable commodities, deprives the country of important revenues. Instead of funding development and infrastructure, these resources are funding terror and crime.

Disruption of legal trade routes due to lack of security has crippled the local economy. It is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers and traders to transport goods, leading to food shortages and rising prices.

“Widespread economic instability discourages foreign investment and hinders development, further entrenching poverty and disenfranchisement,” Saleh said.

Until last year, global support for the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region was substantial with contributions from various countries and organizations. The US has played a crucial role with its drone bases in Niger and Burkina Faso and around 1,000 troops in the region.

France has been a prominent supporter in its military operations, such as Operation Barhan, headquartered in Chad, which at its peak involved around 4,000 men. It was aimed at securing the region and fighting terrorism in partnership with local forces in Mali, Niger and Chad.

An EU training mission and an EU capacity-building mission also played a role until a wave of coup d'état caught the region by surprise. Thus, it becomes impossible for Western governments to continue military cooperation with enemy juntas.

But given the severity of the current crisis, many experts say the world cannot afford to look away. “The international community must recognize that threats emanating from the Sahel and West Africa are not limited to the region but have global implications,” Suli Amalher, a Nigerian security expert, told Arab News.

Terrorism and organized crime in these areas can destabilize entire continents, disrupt global trade, and spur mass migration. “There is also the risk of these extremist ideologies spreading beyond Africa, posing a security threat to other regions,” Amalher said.

Experts say that the spread of extremist ideologies and the presence of terrorist groups in West Africa will lead to instability that could affect the Arabian Peninsula as well.

They say the pro-Western Gulf states, while supporting counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa, must readjust their strategies in light of the recent dissolution of the G5 Sahel.

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, experts say, pointing to what they say is a mix of immediate and long-term strategies.

“Immediate action must include the restoration of the military partnership. It is critical to restore and strengthen military cooperation with international partners, as this will provide the necessary support to local forces to effectively counter the extremist threat,” Lauren Mitchell, a security expert at the Washington Institute for Peace, told Arab News.

Humanitarian aid is also very important. Immediate and substantial assistance is needed to support the displaced population and provide basic needs such as food, water and medical care.

In addition, strengthening border controls and international cooperation is essential to disrupt human trafficking networks. This includes better intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement actions.

Long-term solutions focus mainly on economic development and support for self-sustaining projects.

“It involves building infrastructure, creating jobs and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure food security,” Mitchell said.

Providing young people with education and vocational training can help prevent them from being recruited into extremist groups, analysts have found. Social programs that address poverty and disenfranchisement are vital to long-term stability.

They say international efforts should focus on facilitating a transition to stable civilian administrations capable of effectively governing and meeting the needs of their populations.