DRUG TRAFFICKING AND TERRORISM IN THE SAHEL

Abstract

The Sahel is a region that frequently goes unnoticed despite providing shelter to numerous accomplices of organized crime. The region, situated at the heart of Africa, has become a pivotal point in recent decades for the expansion of jihadist activities and narcotics trafficking routes, with the European market serving as the primary destination. The lack of solid governmental institutions and financial resources has fostered cooperative ties between jihadists and drug traffickers across Sahelian states. Said cooperation represents one of the most significant challenges affecting the security and development of a large part of Africa. The transnational nature of this issue has compromised international security as well.