Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 04/2011

West Africa's Growing Terrorist Threat: Confronting AQIM's Sahelian Strategy

Modibo Goїta

March 2011

Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Abstract

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has undertaken increasingly frequent and effective attacks in the past year, posing a dangerous and growing threat in Africa's Sahel region. Reversing this trend presents a particularly complex challenge as AQIM has simultaneously strengthened ties to local communities and regional criminal networks. Efforts to counter AQIM will require collaborative region-wide strategies that feature complementary security and development initiatives.