Detached Governments Create Breeding Ground for Terrorism – Security Expert Warns Over Illegal Mining and Extremism

International Relations expert Dr. Emmanuel Kobla Klovor has warned that governments that fail to address the real needs of their citizens risk creating conditions that fuel terrorism and violent extremism.

Speaking on security challenges in West Africa via a zoom meeting on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Dr. Klovor stressed that every terrorist group first studies the culture and geographical characteristics of an area before establishing operations, making community awareness and local intelligence crucial in preventing attacks.
He also linked unregulated illegal mining to the rise of extremism, arguing that the two are increasingly interconnected.

According to him, the presence of foreigners in illegal mining communities poses serious security concerns and should not be ignored.
Dr. Klovor further observed that many unemployed people lacking infrastructure in their communities and opportunities are easily recruited into criminal and extremist activities, calling for greater investment in jobs and development.

He criticized what he described as poor coordination and inadequate public sensitization, particularly along the coastal and northern belts, where he said stronger collaboration is needed to tackle emerging threats.

The International Relations Expert also argued that several governments in West Africa have struggled to govern effectively, warning that when leaders become detached from the needs of citizens, they inadvertently create fertile ground for terrorist recruitment.
Dr. Klovor further urged West African countries to strengthen regional security cooperation instead of relying heavily on international actors, saying the region must build the capacity to confront its own security challenges