How Islamist militant groups are gaining strength in Africa

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Published 2018-06-20

Terrorist groups are destabilizing countries all over the continent.

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Islamist terrorist groups have found a new home and it's not in the Middle East -- it's in Africa. Specifically, the Sahel, a band of territory in West Africa between the Sahara desert and the savannah.

Since the early 2000s, Islamist extremist groups have increasingly strengthened their base here -- training fighters, raising money, and launching a massive number of attacks.

Some are linked to al-Qaeda and other Islamic State. This is throwing these already weak countries into crises and making the region one of the most dangerous in the world.

To truly understand the international conflicts and trends shaping our world you need a big-picture view. Video journalist Sam Ellis uses maps to tell these stories and chart their effects on foreign policy.

Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out www.vox.com/.

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All Comments (21)

@Vox 5 years ago

An earlier episode of Vox Atlas explores the man-made famines threatening 20 million people in Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. Watch: bit.ly/2lpxzfT
@deansworld2047 4 years ago

I honestly feel like a spy being briefed by vox everytime I watch these videos
@akbrahma7739 5 years ago

Faith is strongest in an empty stomach.
@Mortebianca 3 years ago

"the group focused on the Chad region" That's it. They are done. Boko Haram is no more.
@lebowski5721 5 years ago

Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime. Aristotle
@quitebad459 5 years ago

I need more vox atlas and borders
@DragonballBlack 5 years ago

Vox putting out banger after banger. Keep the flame coming.
@bean7496 3 years ago

I am a Nigerian and I thank you for talking about this. I know that boko haram usually attacks the north of Nigeria but I'm scared for people like my family, who live in the south and other parts of Nigeria
@tomisoetan9061 5 years ago

I live in Nigeria. Although informative, this was also disheartening to watch. Humanity is better than this, I know it.
@aperezvoyages 5 years ago

Yet another incredible and informative video! 🙏🏽 and your editing and graphics use inspires me
@CuriosityCulture 5 years ago

This video looks like a promo video you would see from a call of duty game.
@unitedcameroon1341 3 years ago

Cameroon have successfully pushed Boko Haram out of their territory
@chefj4042 5 years ago

Makes us realize how lucky we are to be living without these. Thank you Vox for pointing out and informing us about these problems.
@sanchirkh6019 5 years ago

Vox atlas is my most fav series
@msshoeka5573 5 years ago

I pray for peace in Africa. Thank you for the lesson
@vs16694 5 years ago

The background music is so dope.
@xylophone897 5 years ago

The Onion put it pretty well: "Situation in Nigeria seems pretty complex."
@arcticengineer174 5 years ago

The peoples of Africa are suffering dearly due to this guys... The west needs to intervene, but not militarily, like Vox said, they need to stabilize the region, so they can kick the terrorist out.
@aryanshukla7305 1 year ago

The weird part about boko haram is that even though it's an Islamists group most victims are muslims
@ariansabri5395 3 years ago

what is the background song of the intro