Africa Terrorism Bulletin
Africa Terrorism Bulletin – Q1 2025 Executive Summary(ACSRT) et le Comité international de la Croix-Rouge (CICR)
General Situation.1st January to 31st March 2025 recorded 943 terrorist attacks that resulted in 4,296 deaths across Africa. On monthly basis, January recorded 371 attacks that resulted in 1,529 deaths, February recorded 266 attacks that led to 1,751 while March recorded 306 attacks and 1,399 deaths. Attacks in Q1 2025 declined by 8% but deaths increased by 35% when compared to Q4 2024. For the period 2024 (Q1), the attacks increased by only 1% and total deaths also increased by 33%. Although increase in attacks was marginal, the corresponding increase in deaths was significant, signaling the high lethality of attacks. Of the 4,296 deaths recorded, 1,678 were military/security personnel, 1,369 were terrorists and 1,249 were civilians.
Terrorist Attacks in Regions. West Africa recorded 46% of the total attacks and 56% of total deaths, East Africa recorded 28% of attacks and 26% of deaths, Central Africa recorded 21% attacks and 16% of deaths, Southern Africa was 4% of attacks and 1.4% of deaths while North Africa recorded only 1% attack of attacks and 0.6% deaths.
Countries Most Affected. The five most affected countries by terrorist attacks during the period were: Somalia, Burkina Faso, Mali, DRC, and Cameroon (in decreasing order of attacks).
Focus on Epicentres. The Sahel region accounted for 38% of attacks and 43% of deaths, the Horn of Africa region recorded 26% of attacks with 26% of deaths, and the Great Lakes Region recorded 11% of attacks with 14% deaths, Lake Chad Basin recorded for 7% of attacks and 13% deaths.
Primary Targets of Attacks. From a total of 943 attacks across the continent, 587 were against Military/Security targets, 335 targeted Civilians, 14 targeted International
Organizations and 07 targeted Governmental Institutions/Officials. ADF/ISCAP, ASWJ, and Boko Haram, concentrated their attacks against civilian targets, whilst Al-Shabaab, JNIM, ISWAP, and ISGS heavily targeted the military/security forces.
Weapons Used. The terrorist groups used Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) in 67% of the total attacks, IEDs were used in 27% of attacks, mixed attacks (IED & SALW) constituted 2% and 4% were cases of kidnapping.
Casualties Inflicted by Terrorist Groups. JNIM was responsible for 1,244 deaths (435 Civilians, 809 Military/Security personnel); Al-Shabaab for 606 deaths (79 Civilians, 527 Military/Security personnel); ADF/ISCAP for 238 deaths (230 Civilians, 08 Military/Security personnel); ISWAP killed 169 people (88 Civilians, 81 Military/Security personnel); ISGS killed 114 people (62 Civilians, 52 Military/Security). Boko
Haram was responsible for 76 deaths (38 Civilians, 38 Military/Security Forces) and ASWJ for 44 deaths (37 Civilians, 07 Military/Security); 116 were by other IS (01 Civilian, 115 Military/Security) and Unidentified groups killed 360 people (279 Civilians, 81 Military/Security).
Kidnapping. 37 cases of kidnappings were recorded. A total of 677 persons were taken hostage in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, and Niger while 67 captives were released during the same period.
Counter-Terrorism Response. CT Operations neutralized 1,990 terrorists.
Casualties Sustained by Terrorist Groups. Al-Shabaab suffered the highest number of casualties with 1,213; JNIM with 889; 361 for for IS affiliates; 281 for Boko Haram; 179 for ISWAP, ISGS with 113; and ASWJ with 8. Unidentified groups suffered 238 deaths.
High Profile Attacks.
- On 12 January, ISWAP militants attacked a farming and fishing community in Tundun Leda village in Borno, Nigeria. At least 40 civilians were killed.
- On 15 January, ISCAP attacked the village of Makoko, Lubero located in North-Kivu, DRC. At least 45 civilians in the local community were killed.
- On 10 February, ISS militants attacked Puntland Maritime Police Forces and Puntland Dervish Forces in Tog Jacele near Dharin, Bari, Somalia using VBIED. At least 27 Soldiers, and more than 90 Militants were killed, 40 soldiers were injured.
- On 25 February, Al-Shabaab fighters attacked security forces and Hawadle Clam Militia in Buurta Caddow Gurey, Hiiraan, Somalia. At least 18 soldiers were killed, 20 others injured. Government claimed to have killed more than 70 Al-Shabaab militants.
- On 28 March, JNIM militants attacked the camp of the Burkinabe army in Diapaga, in Tapoa, Burkina Faso. The militants surrounded the camp and opened fire. At least 90 soldiers and VDPs were killed.
Conclusion/Recommendations. Africa continue to face the escalating threat of terrorism and violent extremism. In areas
where terrorism and violent extremism are prevalent, the threats have caused devastating harm to live and properties across the
continent, thereby eroding the confident of citizens in their government’s ability to protect them. While several places have seen increase in the number of atrocities committed by terrorist and violent extremist groups, the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions are notably the most affected, with significant civilian
and military casualties. Despite the ongoing deliberate counter terrorism operations adopted by individual countries battling
terrorism, the situation persists. The need to enhance security measures by strengthening intelligence-gathering and response capabilities, focusing on high-risk areas cannot be overemphasised. The trend for the First Quarter of 2025 has witnessed a worrying trend of increased weaponization and use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAV/UAS) also known as Drones by terrorist groups. This poses immense transnational security threat and possible cross
border attacks. The situation requires awareness and response.