Media Blackout: Deaths Linked to Islamic Violence in Africa Reach Alarming Levels

Fatalities related to Islamic violence in Africa have reached a distressing milestone, with a 20 percent increase in the past year, claiming more than 23,000 lives—a new record. These figures come from a recent report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, painting a grim picture of the ongoing Muslim security challenges on the continent.

The report reveals that this surge in Islamic violence represents a near doubling in deaths since 2021, sending shockwaves across the region. The impact of this violence is felt most acutely in the Sahel and Somalia, where over 80 percent of these deaths have occurred.

Sahel and Somalia: The Epicenter of Violence

In the Sahel region, a staggering 11,643 fatalities were linked to Islamic violence, marking a record high for any of the five African theaters. This represents a nearly threefold increase from the levels seen in 2020, highlighting the deteriorating security situation in the region.

Violence against civilians in the Sahel accounts for 35 percent of all Islamic-related events, the highest percentage across the continent. However, it’s important to note that the actual numbers may be higher due to underreporting, attributed to shrinking media coverage in the wake of political instability in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

The report underscores that a significant portion of the surge in fatalities can be attributed to the Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) coalition, particularly the Macina Liberation Front (FLM) and Ansaroul Islam. This Muslim coalition was associated with a 67-percent spike in reported deaths, making it a major driver of violence in the Sahel.

Somalia Grapples with Escalating Violence

Somalia witnessed a 22-percent increase in fatalities in 2023, with nearly all violence attributed to incidents involving Islamic group al Shabaab. The report highlights a tripling of deaths in Somalia since 2020, demonstrating the relentless violence faced by its population.

The majority of the violent events and fatalities in Somalia were linked to battles, reflecting the continued offensive led by the Somali federal government against al Shabaab. Kenya, situated along the Somalia border, also saw an increase in fatalities related to al Shabaab violence in 2023, further underscoring the regional impact of this Islamic terror group.

Lake Chad Basin’s Ongoing Struggle

The Lake Chad Basin experienced a 25-percent increase in violent events linked to Islamic groups over the past year, reversing a previous decline in violence since 2020. While the number of fatalities remained relatively stable, the region still accounts for a significant proportion of all Islamic-linked fatalities on the continent.

Muslim groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), continue to be key actors in the Lake Chad Basin, with their violent events evenly distributed. ISWA is associated with more battles and remote violence, while Boko Haram is responsible for the majority of Islamic attacks on civilians, making it a complex security challenge for the region.

Progress in Northern Mozambique

There has been a significant positive development in northern Mozambique, as Islamic violence has dropped 71 percent over the past year. This positive change can be attributed to the joint efforts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwandan forces, who were deployed to help the Mozambican military dislodge Muslim terrorists from key cities.

The reduction in violence against civilians, previously a distinguishing feature of the conflict in northern Mozambique, is particularly noteworthy. However, there are still challenges ahead in sustaining this progress and addressing underlying grievances in the region.

Positive Trends in North Africa

North Africa has witnessed a remarkable decline in violent events linked to Islamic groups, dropping by 98 percent in the past year. This decline primarily stems from reduced Islamic violent incidents in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Despite these improvements, concerns persist about the presence of the Islamic State in Libya and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in the southern part of Libya, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.

While these statistics provide a comprehensive view of the evolving security landscape in Africa, it is essential to remember that behind each statistic lies a human tragedy. The international community must remain committed to finding sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of Islamic violence on African lives and stability.

Unfortunately, many Westerners are unaware of the ongoing Islamic violence in African countries. Mainstream US media outlets have embraced ‘virtue signaling’ about racism following the death of George Floyd. Yet, no left-wing leaders have vocally advocated ‘Black Lives Matter’ in Africa to raise awareness about the massacre of non-Muslims, especially Christians, on the continent.