Abstract

This article analyzes the historical drivers of violent extremism in the African Sahel, with a focus on Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It examines how historical factors have evolved to nurture a plethora of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) operating in the region, making it the epicenter of violent extremism in 2023. These historical factors include the influence of religion, Tuareg rebellions (1963, 1990, and 2012) in Mali, the spillover effects of the Algerian Civil War of 1992, the impact of the Libyan crisis in 2011, and the Fulani crisis in Central Mali. The study argues that historical drivers of violent extremism in the African Sahel have remained dormant for decades but were recently reignited by contemporary factors such as governance failures. The article is based on in-depth Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and the analysis of secondary sources. The findings of the study reveal that historical drivers of violent extremism in the African Sahel have persisted due to oral tradition and the use of information and communication technology (ICT), which has perpetuated extremist ideologies across generations. Therefore, strategies to counter violent extremism in the region must prioritize mainstreaming de-radicalization with alternate narratives, education, good governance, and economic development, rather than relying solely on a military combat-dominated approach.

Key words: Violent extremism, historical factors, violent extremist organisations, and African Sahel.