The number of foreign fighters in sub-Saharan Africa has increased over the past six years. In 2020, Austin Doctor predicted an influx of foreign fighters to aid Islamist extremist groups in the region. Although the anticipated surge did not materialize immediately, there are now more foreign terrorist fighters from a wider range of global regions active in African Islamist militant forces.
According to estimates, 53 percent of IS-Somalia, 33 percent of IS-West Africa, and 33 percent of IS-Sahel forces are composed of foreign terrorist fighters, including some from the United States. The rise in foreign fighters has been steady, with the Islamic State's operational focus shifting from Iraq and Syria to Africa by 2023.
The increase in foreign fighters poses a significant concern for regional security, with these fighters often drawn to areas with momentum and activity.
