West Africa has become a dangerous powder keg

As the world’s attention remains focused on Europe and the Indo-Pacific, Islamic extremist organisations are gaining traction and territory along Africa’s “coup belt”. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, all ruled by pro-Russian military juntas, are facing military defeats and setbacks by al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates. A spillover of the conflict could create a domino effect not only on the African continent but also in Europe and among various regional and world powers, all of which have vested interests in Africa.

Jihadist foothold in the Maghreb