Retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, the former Chief of Army Staff, recently advised African nations to adopt local strategies to combat the continent’s escalating instability. He emphasized that regional partnerships and internal security strengths are vital for neutralizing current threats.
Addressing the 32nd Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum in Addis Ababa, Buratai outlined five primary dangers: violent extremism, organized transnational crime, cyber vulnerabilities, political instability, and over-reliance on foreign assistance.
Buratai highlighted that the Sahel has become a focal point for global terrorism, hosting nearly half of all terror-linked deaths. Specifically, West Africa saw roughly 450 attacks and 1,900 deaths between January and November 2025. Although military operations in Burkina Faso have seen successes, extremist groups remain a significant threat.
The former army chief noted that the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS has hampered regional intelligence collaboration. Furthermore, he warned of extremism infiltrating coastal states like Benin. To restore stability, Buratai urged governments to prioritize cyber defense, information sharing, and robust institutional governance.
