Massive rise in Islamist militant attacks in Africa

[Deeq A.]

THERE is a sharp rise in the number of Islamist militant attacks in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The number of incidents rose from 317 in 2013 to 1 549 as of April this year, according to a specialist global risk consultancy.

Control Risks, the organisation, said most of the attacks were inspired by the so-called Islamic State (IS) that loses its grip in its Middle Eastern heartland.

Somalia, which witnessed 879 incidents over the period, accounted for over half of the Islamist militant incidents recorded across sub-Saharan Africa. The only other East African country affected during the period was Kenya, with 79 incidents.

In West Africa, where 36 percent of the incidents were reported, Nigeria suffered most (220 incidents), followed by Mali (194) and Cameroon (96).

In Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) suffered 43 attacks.

The total number of Islamist militant attacks in Southern Africa was relatively low with 12 attacks in Mozambique and one in South Africa.

Jean Devlin, Partner and Head of African Analysis at Control Risks, said the surge in attacks particularly in Mozambique, where the first attack was recorded in October 2017, was concerning.

At least 50 people have been killed in the northern parts of that country since then.

Source: cajnewsafrica