The European Union's special representative for the Sahel, João Cravinho, issued a strong warning from Accra, Ghana: Europe's security is in direct danger from the expansion of jihadism in the Sahel region, now designated as the global epicenter of terrorism.

The expansion of jihadism: a scourge that knows no borders

Based on the latest Global Terrorism Index , the EU underlines the urgency of the situation. The Sahel has become the area most affected by terrorism, due to insurgencies led by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

According to João Cravinho, the idea that these threats remain confined to the Sahel is an illusion. “One thing we know about terrorist organizations […] is that they don’t stay where they are,” he stated. The expansion of their influence southward, particularly in coastal states like Togo and Benin, confirms this trend.

Explosion of attacks and political instability

The figures demonstrate the severity of the crisis:

1. The number of jihadist attacks has risen from 1,900 in 2019 to more than 5,500 in 2024 , with the count already at 3,800 before October 2025.
2. This violence is unfolding in an area of insecurity that now represents the equivalent of twice the size of Spain.
3. The NGO Acled estimates that these conflicts have already caused some 76,900 deaths .

Furthermore, the EU representative stressed that the wave of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), have " completely changed the game ".

Migration and reassessment of partnerships

Beyond the direct security threat, the chaos in the Sahel also generates concerns for Europe regarding " unregulated migration flows ".

Faced with this new situation, the EU is seeking to establish new forms of cooperation with neighboring Sahel countries, such as Ghana, Ivory Coast and Mauritania, which are facing an influx of displaced populations.

Despite the deep political divisions caused by the coups, the EU will maintain dialogue with the ruling juntas. João Cravinho plans to return to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, affirming the need to " find new ways of working together on common challenges " and to establish a "new type of relationship."

Russia's role called into question

When questioned about Mali's growing dependence on Russia, the EU representative was critical of the effectiveness of the Russian partnership. "Russia is not able to provide the solutions that Malians need," he stated, adding, " We have seen that since their arrival, the situation has worsened ."