Situation Report: Sahel Security and Humanitarian Trends in April 2025
An overview of security incidents in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, including humanitarian indicators and regional comparison data.
Key takeaways
- IED attacks along Burkina Faso's RN4 rose by 23 percent compared with February.
- Regional cooperation remains fragile, and joint operations often fail because of logistics.
- Humanitarian access is getting worse, especially in Gao and Tillaberi.
Security incidents and trends
In April, we recorded 198 security-related incidents across the region, 61 percent of them with direct effects on civilians. Jihadist groups remain especially active along the RN4 and in Oudalan province. Burkina Faso's armed forces have responded with targeted operations, but supply problems continue to slow them down.
- 198 incidents, 121 of them with immediate risk for civilians.
- IED attacks are becoming more common in the evening.
- Local self-defense groups are spreading further in northern Mali.
Humanitarian conditions
Aid groups are reporting growing access restrictions. In Gao and Tillaberi, 37 percent of planned aid missions were canceled. Demand for food assistance is rising as drought periods last longer. Mobile clinics are only partly filling the gap left by fixed facilities.
Regional cooperation
The Alliance of Sahel States is trying to coordinate joint operations, but logistical coordination often falls apart. Local communities are skeptical of multinational patrols, especially after repeated reports of human rights violations.
What partners should do
We recommend expanding local early-warning systems together with communities and strengthening civilian escort programs for humanitarian convoys. Better data integration between NGOs and authorities remains essential for pooling resources.