The threat of Al-Shabaab

Nnoli’s assertions are undoubtedly very true as violent extremism remains one of Africa’s most pressing security threats. Militant extremist group violence in Africa has risen inexorably over the past decade, expanding by 300% during this time.

Violent events linked to militant extremist groups have doubled since 2019. According to the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, militant extremist violence in Africa is largely concentrated in five theatres, each comprising distinct locally based actors and context-specific challenges: the Sahel, Somalia, the Lake Chad Basin, North Africa, and Mozambique.