The number of deaths caused by the actions of extremist groups has risen by almost 50% in the last 12 months in Africa, which has reached a historic increase.
The situation in Somalia and the Sahel region is of particular concern, according to research conducted by the American research center African Center for Strategic Studies.
“Deaths linked to Al-Shabaab and Boka Haram have reached 22,288 in the last 12 months. This represents an increase of 48% compared to the previous year which recorded 15,024 deaths”, said the study, referring to data across the African continent.
Before that, the record was 20,562 deaths recorded in 2015. Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab are recognized as the most violent groups in Africa.
Somalia, home to Al-Shabaab, which is also affiliated with Al-Qaeda, and the Sahel region of Africa are at the heart of the conflict on the African continent, accounting for 80% of the deaths reported in the document.
In Somalia, the increase in deaths is even more alarming than in the past. There have been 7,937 deaths linked to terrorist attacks in the past 12 months, far exceeding the previous record of 5,224 deaths in 2018.
