France, March 20 -- The Global Terrorism Index 2026, compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, said the region has led global figures for three consecutive years. Data from ACLED, a group that tracks conflict and violence worldwide, also point to high levels of violence across the Sahel.

"The epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa, into the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa," the index said this week - adding "the Sahel has suffered a tenfold increase in terrorism fatalities since 2007".

In 2024, more than half of the 7,555 global deaths linked to terrorism were recorded in the Sahel. The trend continued in 2025, with nearly half of the 5,582 fatalities taking place there.

The index rank...