The power of Sahelian terrorism does not come from abroad it comes from the state's own weaknesses
A long-term study by Conflict Armament Research reveals that jihadist groups in the Sahel primarily acquire weapons from national military stockpiles rather than international smuggling. The findings suggest that state weakness and poor security management are the primary drivers of insurgent armament.
For years, the dominant image of Sahelian terrorism has been one of foreign-armed q roaming the desert in pickup trucks, their weapons flowing in from Libyan arsenals, Middle Eastern patrons or shadowy international networks. It is a compelling story. It is also, according to the most rigorous field investigation yet conducted on the subject, largely wrong.
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