Africa continues to suffer the devastating consequences of terrorism and violent extremism. From the Sahel to the Lake Chad Basin and from the Horn of Africa to Central Africa, terrorist organizations have claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and undermined decades of economic and social progress.
Against this backdrop, African nations must exercise extreme caution in their relations with any foreign power accused of facilitating, sponsoring, arming or exploiting terrorist groups for geopolitical purposes.
In recent years, governments in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have publicly accused certain Western countries, particularly France, of maintaining links with or indirectly supporting extremist groups operating in the Sahel. These allegations remain disputed and have been rejected by the accused countries.
Nevertheless, the accusations reflect growing concern across parts of Africa that some external actors may be benefiting from instability rather than genuinely working to eliminate it.
The concern is not without historical context. Throughout modern history, powerful states have often supported armed groups to advance strategic objectives, only for those groups to later become major security threats.
In Afghanistan during the Cold War, foreign support provided to anti-Soviet mujahideen fighters contributed to the emergence of networks that later evolved into extremist organizations such as Al-Qaeda. What began as a geopolitical strategy eventually produced consequences that extended far beyond the original conflict.
In Iraq, the 2003 invasion and subsequent collapse of state institutions created conditions that enabled extremist movements to flourish. Years later, the world witnessed the rise of the Islamic State, one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations in modern history.
In Libya, the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 triggered a security vacuum that facilitated the spread of weapons, fighters and extremist networks across the Sahel. Many analysts identify the Libyan crisis as a major factor behind the deterioration of security in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
In Syria, multiple foreign powers supported competing armed factions. Over time, weapons, funding and military resources intended for some groups found their way into the hands of extremist organizations, further complicating the conflict and prolonging instability.
In Sudan, allegations have emerged regarding the involvement of foreign actors and foreign-linked operatives in the ongoing conflict. The war demonstrates how external interference can intensify domestic crises and transform them into prolonged regional security challenges.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo offers another example of how external involvement in local conflicts can fuel cycles of violence and make lasting peace more difficult to achieve.
Within the Sahel itself, authorities in Mali have accused France and other foreign actors of facilitating terrorist activities. Similar accusations have been made by governments in Niger and Burkina Faso.
Although these claims remain contested and have not been conclusively established by independent international investigations, their persistence reflects a profound breakdown of trust between African governments and their traditional security partners.
Additional concerns have been raised regarding allegations that weapons originating from foreign conflicts have found their way into the hands of armed groups operating in Africa and the Middle East.
Reports of illicit arms trafficking from conflict zones demonstrate how wars occurring thousands of kilometres away can directly affect African security.
Whenever terrorism becomes intertwined with geopolitical competition, ordinary citizens pay the highest price. Armed groups that are tolerated, manipulated or supported for short-term strategic gain often develop independent agendas and eventually threaten entire regions.
Africa must therefore reject any attempt by external powers to use extremist organizations, separatist movements or armed militias as instruments of foreign policy. The continent cannot afford to become a battleground for geopolitical rivalries disguised as security partnerships.
African governments should demand transparency from all security partners, strengthen regional intelligence cooperation, invest in self-reliant defence capabilities and insist on accountability from any foreign actor operating on the continent.
Security agreements should be evaluated according to measurable outcomes in reducing terrorism rather than political promises or diplomatic rhetoric.
The international community should equally adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward any state found to be facilitating, financing, training, arming or otherwise enabling terrorist organizations. Such actions, regardless of who commits them, undermine international law, threaten global security and prolong human suffering.
The experiences of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the ongoing crises in the Sahel demonstrate a consistent pattern. Once armed extremist groups are empowered, the resulting instability can persist for decades and spread far beyond national borders.
Africa’s future depends on strong institutions, regional solidarity, economic development and genuine partnerships based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
The continent must remain vigilant against all forms of foreign interference that contribute to instability and must ensure that the fight against terrorism serves the interests of African peoples rather than the geopolitical ambitions of external powers.