Al-Qaida will dominate West Africa jihadist landscape

Significance

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but jihadist groups have been expanding their area of operations in recent years from northern Mali and southern Libya to West Africa.

Impacts

• Al-Qaida will exploit ethnic cleavages and socio-economic grievances to gain local support.
• The terrorist group will encourage the creation of more home-grown jihadist groups in West Africa.
• Successful kidnappings of Westerners will boost the morale and recruitment capacity of jihadists.