The Government sees the Sahel as a "real threat" as an issuer of terrorism and also immigration

The National Security Report warns that the region can attract combatants but also send them through immigration

MADRID, 30 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The situation in the Sahel constitutes one of the main security concerns for the Government, which considers that this African region in which coups d'état occur and jihadists roam freely represents a "real threat" as a broadcasting source. of terrorists and also of irregular immigration.

This is clear from the 2023 National Security Report prepared by the Department of National Security (DSN) of the Presidency of the Government, which highlights that "the Sahel is a priority area for Spain due to the effect it may have on the countries of the Maghreb and the possible extension of the conflicts to neighboring territories, such as the Gulf of Guinea", where there have already been attacks in countries such as Benin or Togo.

The DSN emphasizes in the document, consulted by Europa Press, on "the need to stabilize said area to prevent jihadist groups from having bases from which to plan terrorist actions against Spanish and European objectives."

The countries of the Sahel, in particular Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, have been the scene of intense activity by jihadist groups for years. The affiliates of the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in this region of Africa are among the most active and deadly worldwide.

In fact, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel is currently the hardest hit region, accounting for almost half of the total number of fatalities (47% with almost 4,000) and 26% of terrorist attacks worldwide. Among the 'top 10' of most affected countries are four from this region -Burkina Faso (1), Mali (3), Nigeria (8) and Niger (10) -.

On the other hand, the coups d'état in the region that began in Mali in 2020 and continued in Burkina Faso in 2022 and Niger last June "have led to the departure of the large French contingent in the region, the beginning of the withdrawal of the United Nations stabilization missions and the beginning of readaptation of the EU missions," recalls the DSN.

In this sense, the document warns that "the instability and weakening of the counterterrorist front can favor the expansion and increase of the capabilities of the groups operating in the area."

Furthermore, it emphasizes that the military junta that governs the three countries "are adopting other options to combat terrorism, with other approaches, linked to the excessive use of force and counting, in some cases, on the help of Russian mercenaries," in reference to the presence, mainly in the case of Mali, of the Wagner Group.

Thus, the DSN regrets that "the West continues to diminish its influence, in the face of a Russia that has established itself as a priority partner of Mali and that intensifies its effort to do the same with Burkina Faso and Niger."

The three countries have forced the departure of French troops deployed in their territory and, in the case of Niger, announced a few days ago that it was also suspending its defense agreement with the United States, which could lead to the closure of its base. drones in Agadez, key to the fight against terrorism in the region.

In this context, the report adds, "non-state armed groups continue to carry out large-scale attacks against civilian and military targets, expand throughout the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea, and engage in clashes over access to resources, territorial control and influence".

For all these reasons, the DSN warns that "the situation in the Sahel and its geographical proximity to Spain constitutes a real threat, both due to the possible departure of combatants to said territory", given the calls by terrorist groups to emigrate to this region. to carry out jihad there, "as well as the possible arrival of terrorists who can use structures and transit routes used by organized crime."

Regarding this issue, the report points out that "in Spain no departures of jihadist volunteers towards conflict scenarios have been detected in 2023, so the main risk continues to be the possible return" of the so-called foreign terrorist fighters (CTE), "especially if they occur clandestinely and indirectly, using routes and methods typical of illegal immigration networks."

However, apart from the Spanish CTE, the DSN admits that "the possible arrival to Spain of returnees from other countries, whether European or from the Maghreb, may be especially worrying." According to the data collected in the report, Spain would have 272 CTE, of which 102 are displaced in a conflict zone, 65 are returned and 104 have died.

Faced with this threat in the Sahel, "Spain considers that efforts in the fight against terrorism should focus on training missions focused on training the armed forces and local security forces to contain terrorism."

One of these missions is precisely EUTM Mali, in charge of training Malian forces and which has remained blocked for more than a year. The Spanish contingent is the bulk of it and the EU must decide before May on its continuity.

Likewise, the Government defends "a comprehensive approach when addressing regional problems, taking into account not only security aspects, but also development, governance and respect for Human Rights."

Another consequence of instability in the Sahel is the increase in illegal immigration, according to the document. Insecurity "is exacerbating an already extremely serious humanitarian situation, where populations continue to be subject to indiscriminate attacks and persecution based on their ethnic or religious identity." As a consequence of this, there is "a notable increase in irregular migratory flows."

The report highlights the increase in illegal immigrant arrivals to Spain in the last year, 95% more than in 2022 (56,039 immigrants), while arrivals by sea increased by 91%, with the Canary Islands as the main destination. The archipelago experienced 154% more arrivals during 2023.

"The increase in arrivals from the Sahel in 2023, although it did not reach the levels of 2018, did represent a challenge for migration management," the report highlights. Of the 40,403 irregular immigrants arriving during the last year along the so-called Atlantic route, according to the European Border Agency (Frontex), 17% came from Senegal, 14% from Morocco and 6% from Mali, while 44% They lacked identification.

The DSN draws attention to the fact that after the coup d'état in Niger, which has paralyzed the EU's security collaboration with this country, it is likely that "the control of migratory flows will decline in importance within the political agenda of the new Government".

Niger has traditionally been a transit country for those who want to reach Europe from Sub-Saharan Africa, although in recent years the Government had managed to control this lucrative business, which has Agadez as the main transit point, with the support of the EU. .

Although the report rules out that the country "is going to become a territory of origin for illegal immigration bound for Europe," it considers that "the changes in the Nigerien political situation may cause the land itineraries of migrant transits from the Gulf to be modified." from Guinea through the African continent".