IS using security loopholes to expand in central Africa

Nahla Abdelmonem

The expansion of the Islamic State (IS) group in central Africa portends major dangers to security in the countries of the region.

This expansion feeds on rampant political and security unrest in regional states.

IS has so far succeeded in establishing its own province in central Africa, raising questions on the possible security and economic ramifications of the emergence of this province on the region.

The international community has started noticing the IS province in central Africa, ever since the terrorist group stepped up its attacks in Mozambique.

The group had last staged an attack in the northern city of Balma in late March, before the army succeeded in liberating the city and killing a large number of IS militants.

However, the infiltration of the IS militants into the Cabo Delgado region threatens economic projects in it. These projects include natural gas exploration activities.

IS presence in the region will also strengthen terrorist groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.

Proclaimed central African province

The declaration of the IS province in central Africa was a prelude for the success of the terrorist group to recruit a large number of people in the region.

In April 2019, the late IS caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, appeared in a video where he flipped through his organization’s files. Central Africa featured in the file.

IS tries to draw in new recruits to it in its bid to expand even more in central Africa. It uses social media to reach out to disgruntled citizens in the countries of the region. It also posts photos of its attacks in different parts of central Africa.