During a lecture delivered at King’s College, London, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo urged world leaders to work towards eliminating terrorism in Africa by putting aside their differences. Osinbajo specifically called attention to the escalating problem of terrorism in the Sahel region of Africa, noting that it has worsened existing problems in the area. He emphasized that terrorism anywhere in the world is a threat to humanity as a whole and that more needs to be done to address this issue in partnership with the international community.
According to a statement by his media aide, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo pointed out that although many African countries have taken steps to tackle these terrorist groups, there is still much more that can be done, especially in partnership with the rest of the international community. He stated that the Sahel region appears to be the worst hit, with the 2022 Global Terrorism Index reporting that it has become home to “the world’s fastest-growing and most deadly terrorist groups.” Additionally, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 48 percent of global terrorism deaths, with the Sahel also having half a million internally displaced persons, 1.8 million people facing food insecurity, and 5.1 million people needing humanitarian assistance.
Given the scale of the problem and the fact that the threat of terrorism anywhere on earth is a threat to the whole of humanity, Osinbajo believes it is time for the global community to treat the menace of terrorism in the Sahel as a common challenge. He proposed that the great powers and emerging powers put aside rivalries and work together with ECOWAS and the African Union on an initiative to stamp out terrorism in Africa, especially in the Sahel.
