sub-Saharan Africa

The Sahel, a hot semi-arid region in Africa below the Sahara – which includes around fourteen nations – is teetering on the brink of collapse, where the convergence of terrorism and food insecurity has reached alarming proportions. Militant Islamist violent attacks, intensifying through the region, have unleashed many negative consequences, including the displacement of over 3.5 million people, mostly farmers, herders and traders. This exponentially rising displacement exacerbates an already dire food insecurity situation as entire populations within Sahelian countries, whose lives are reliant on pastoralism and farming, are unable to access their land due to the militant conflict which further restricts them from humanitarian aid. This article advocates for the integration of innovative Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology as a crucial tool in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel by allowing populations to reclaim their land, thus working towards the fortification of food security in the region.

While numerous changes are necessary within Sahelian governments to effectively combat militant Islamist violence, such as reforming military counterinsurgency operations and returning to civilian-democratic rule, it is imperative to recognize a particularly promising solution: Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Given that terrorism often seeks to exert influence and control over political boundaries, the integration of GIS technology is especially helpful in understanding the spatial dynamics of terrorism, a dimension often overlooked by autocratic military regimes. GIS can be defined by a sophisticated computer system designed to capture, record, store, and analyze information relating to features on earth’s surface.  Through geospatial analysis, GIS examines vast quantities of open-source data, collects data and converts it into a suitable digital format, termed as “input”, by numerous international organizations. The uses of GIS technology are virtually unlimited, but specifically regarding this topic, GIS holds significant potential in four areas: (1) intelligence analysis, (2) simulation, (3) response efforts, and (4) retaliation.

Integrating GIS technology into Sahelian counterinsurgency operations holds immense potential in bolstering intelligence analysis capabilities. GIS possesses the ability to analyze a wide array of data collections, giving governments valuable insight into the spatial dynamics of conflict. For example, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Dataset (ACLED) supplies crucial information by pinpointing hotspots of civil unrest, enabling a more targeted approach to counterterrorism. The integration of GIS extends beyond civil unrest; for example, in Saudi Arabia, GIS has been a pivotal tool in analyzing aerial photography as satellite imagery to identify activities of terrorists, particularly around oil and gas fields. Similarly, in Nigeria, GIS has been used to evaluate the targets of Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, demonstrating the ability for GIS technology to analyze spatial patterns and terrain features to measure and gather intelligence regarding violent militant Islamist attacks.

In addition to improving intelligence analysis, GIS also offers significant advantages in the simulation of terrorist scenarios, enhancing a government’s preparedness and response capacities. GIS can utilize remote sensing and LiDAR data, a process that involves collecting images from low-altitude aircraft and commercial satellites to document landscape features besieging terrorist events. The gathered data is then processed into 3D dense samples, creating a digital habitat to simulate any terrorist event. In Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, anti-terrorism exercises were conducted to simulate various terrorist scenarios such as sieges of buildings, kidnapping operations, and threats involving chemical and biological agents. Lycoming, as well as many other counties in the US, reported remarkable accuracy with modeling each scenario, allowing for comprehensive preparedness and response planning. By utilizing GIS for simulations, Sahel countries can operate with effective and accurate training, mitigating the impact of terrorist attacks on agriculture, infrastructure, or nomadic communities, ultimately contributing to improved security and stability in the region.

Geospatial analysis technology plays a critical role in coordinating response efforts in the aftermath of such terrorist attacks. As seen in Colombo, Sri Lanka, GIS initiatives have significantly reduced the emergency response times through hotspot mapping. By identifying specific areas prone to terrorist attacks and mapping out strategic road networks, emergency services are able to navigate cities more efficiently, reaching impacted areas quickly and effectively. Moreover, GIS serves as an important tool in coordinating immediate response efforts during an attack. In providing real-time information on general proximities of event sites to first responders, GIS allows services to deploy and mitigate the impacts of civilian or military casualties. In the Sahel, where response infrastructure is limited, the integration of GIS is particularly crucial, enhancing government coordination and response times, mitigating the risks of future attacks and protecting their citizens.

The use of drones, equipped with GIS, plays a pivotal role in combating terrorism by conducting intelligence-gathering tasks, such as uncovering enemy hideouts, as well as, scanning and analyzing hostile territories. Their stealth capabilities make them particularly good at navigating Sahelian enemy terrain, while going completely unnoticed. Moreover, drones with GIS can be employed for combat purposes, allowing for precision strikes against terrorist targets, minimizing collateral damage and maximizing efficacy of retaliatory operations. By leveraging drones enabled with GIS technology for intelligence gathering and precision strikes, countries in the Sahel can now strengthen their capacity to retaliate quickly and decisively, contributing to sustained peace and security in the region. 

Ideally, the implementation of GIS technology in every country in the world would serve as a crucial tool in limiting substantial terrorist violence. However, specifically in the Sahel region, such efforts of integration can be particularly challenging for a multitude of reasons. First, one may argue that the initial investment in GIS may be too substantial. However, without a doubt, the long term costs of not implementing such measures can be far more detrimental, because the negative economic impact of terrorist attacks on infrastructure, lives, trade, and investment, as well as the resulting need for humanitarian aid, can place a far worse strain than the initial GIS cost. One may argue that implementing GIS in Sahel countries may present initial challenges due to the complexity of technology and the requirement for specialized training causing a lack of GIS implementation. However, these obstacles can be overcome through targeted capacity-building efforts and training programs with partnered international organizations.

An additional limitation may be that a country’s infrastructure is not optimal for the implementation of GIS technology. However, the argument can be made that investing in GIS infrastructure can lead to overall infrastructural development in the region because improving communication networks, electricity access, and transport systems could lead to positive spillover effects, enhancing economic development and government connectivity. Lastly, it can be argued that recent and historical distrust regarding governmental inability to address terrorism can hinder efforts to implement GIS. However, by demonstrating the benefits of GIS and other counterinsurgency changes that enhance the security and protect citizens from terrorist attacks, governments can rebuild trust and legitimacy.

One common misconception regarding GIS technology is that it has the ability to predict nearly everything related to terrorist activities. In reality, GIS can only analyze data to identify patterns and trends, which may then inform decision-making processes. As terrorist groups often employ different tactics, it can be challenging to establish clear trends. Thus, while GIS technology can provide important information to governments, it is still essential to supplement its use with other intelligence-gathering tools to effectively combat terrorism.

The feasibility of implementing GIS as a counterterrorism measure in the Sahel region is validated by numerous real-world applications across the world. While there may be some initial investment challenges, the demonstrated success of GIS in diverse contexts highlights its potential and feasibility to serve as a state of the art solution for enhancing counterterrorism, ultimately aiding in safeguarding communities and addressing the complex system of terrorism and food insecurity in the Sahel.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons