West and Central Africa

At the community, country, region, and global level, African partners are vital contributors to international efforts to counter extremism, violent extremism, and terrorism, and supporting local partners in implementing effective prevention and response strategies remains critical. The region faces diverse threats related to extremism, violent extremism, and terrorism. Terrorist attacks have significantly impacted the region, and the effects of terrorism are becoming more geographically dispersed, exacerbated by and exacerbating complex social, economic, and political issues. There is violent conflict between competing terrorist groups, and multiple extremist and violent extremist groups carry out deadly attacks against civilians and perpetrate kidnappings. These groups exploit political instability and form strategic coalitions with affiliate extremist and violent extremist networks. These groups have also become increasingly effective at exploiting online spaces for radicalization and recruitment.

Hedayah’s work in West and Central Africa supports educational programs aimed at building resilience, particularly among youth, while promoting community- and family-centered approaches to countering extremism and violent extremism, and enhancing evidence-based approaches. We also leverage both online and offline approaches to counter extremist and violent extremist ideologies. Strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration processes remains central to our efforts, alongside supporting governments in developing, implementing, and updating comprehensive policies, strategies, and action plans to prevent and counter extremism and violent extremism.