In April 2025, West Africa witnessed a sharp escalation in violent incidents, with 1,025 recorded events resulting in 1,861 fatalities across 15 countries. Three countries, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali, accounted for over 85% of all conflict-related deaths, highlighting their continued status as epicentres of regional insecurity.

Jihadist groups—particularly JNIM and ISIS-affiliated factions—intensified attacks across the Sahel, while state responses, often involving airstrikes and joint operations, raised fresh concerns about civilian harm. Violence continued to spill beyond traditional hotspots, with Benin returning to high alert status, Niger facing infrastructure sabotage, and urban unrest and vigilante violence rising in Ghana, Guinea, and Senegal.

Attacks targeted civilians, state infrastructure, and strategic economic sites, further destabilising food supply chains and displacing communities. Meanwhile, the lines between armed actors, state forces, jihadists, local militias, and foreign mercenaries grew increasingly blurred.

April’s tracker underscores the urgent need for civilian protection, intelligence-led regional coordination, and a shift from reactive military tactics to long-term political and community-driven solutions.