Roads Under Siege: The Hidden War in West Africa
Roads in West Africa are no longer just routes of trade and travel—they’ve become strategic frontlines in a deadly conflict. According to research analyzing 58,000 violent events between 2000 and 2024, more than 65% occurred within one kilometer of a road. From ambushes to infrastructure destruction, transport routes are now prime targets for insurgents. Armed groups exploit these roads to assert control, isolate communities, and challenge state authority, while governments struggle to maintain stability through military mobility and connectivity.
Infrastructure as a Weapon of War
The rapid increase in road-related violence mirrors the rise of jihadist activity in the region. Attacks on convoys surged from just 31 incidents before 2015 to nearly 500 by 2023. Specific corridors have become especially volatile. For instance, Cameroon’s Bamenda-Kumbo-Wum ring road and Nigeria’s routes from Maiduguri to Bama and Damaturu have witnessed hundreds of attacks. In Mali and Burkina Faso, insurgent activity has gripped highways leading to Gao and Djibo. These recurring hotspots highlight how certain road segments are now synonymous with conflict.
The Rural Shift in Violence
Although roads remain central to conflict, there’s a noticeable trend toward more violence in remote rural areas. Since 2011, the share of violent events occurring close to roads has slightly declined, reflecting how insurgent tactics have evolved to target isolated towns and off-road communities. This shift complicates government efforts to restore order, especially where road access is poor or nonexistent. Peripheral regions like Timbuktu and Kidal remain disconnected by tarmac, allowing insurgents to entrench themselves with little resistance.
Rethinking Peace Through Infrastructure
West African states have historically prioritized military responses over infrastructure development. While security forces face growing threats, their mobility is limited by dilapidated road networks. Instead of expanding road access to marginalized areas—which could foster governance, trade, and peace—governments have doubled down on military bases, especially after recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The result is a cycle where poor roads not only limit state reach but also provide fertile ground for insurgent growth. Building better roads could, ironically, pave the way to peace.
