Buratai seeks African-led approach to tackle terrorism, insurgency

By Monsuroh Abdulsemiu

Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, has urged African countries to take greater responsibility for addressing the continent’s worsening security challenges, saying external interventions alone can no longer guarantee peace.

Speaking on Friday while delivering the keynote address, titled ‘Africa’s Priority Security Threats’, at the 32nd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Buratai said Africa is confronted by five major threats — terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organised crime, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, governance-related instability, and the erosion of sovereignty through external dependence.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the retired general said African countries must strengthen regional cooperation, intelligence sharing and indigenous security capabilities to tackle the evolving threats.

Buratai described the Sahel as the global epicentre of terrorism, noting that the region accounts for nearly half of terror-related deaths worldwide.

He said West Africa recorded about 450 terrorist attacks between January and November 2025, leaving more than 1,900 people dead.

The former army chief said Burkina Faso had made significant gains under Ibrahim Traoré, with government troops reclaiming about 72.7 percent of territories previously occupied by insurgents by June 2025 through Operation Lalmassga.

He, however, said the security situation remained fragile, noting that jihadist groups, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), continued to launch deadly attacks despite intensified military operations that reportedly killed at least 400 militants in early 2026.

Buratai also said the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had weakened intelligence sharing and regional security cooperation.

He warned that extremist violence was no longer confined to the Sahel, citing a rise in attacks in northern Benin Republic over the past three years.

Buratai said criminal groups involved in terrorism financing, piracy, arms trafficking, drug smuggling and cybercrime were increasingly exploiting porous borders, digital technologies and weak governance structures.

He also described cybersecurity as a growing national security concern, urging African governments to invest in cyber defence and strengthen regional collaboration.

Buratai called for coordinated, home-grown strategies to address Africa’s security challenges, adding that stronger institutions, improved intelligence cooperation, economic resilience and political commitment are critical to achieving lasting peace across the continent.