These photographs and stories were documented in 2016 across six African countries that have been directly affected by violent extremism – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Somalia and Uganda. It is hoped that this initiative will raise awareness on the human cost of violent extremism across the African continent and thereby drive and inspire continued efforts to prevent it.

The growth of violent extremism – and the devastating impact of groups espousing violent ideologies – is not only setting in motion a dramatic reversal of development gains in Africa, but is also threatening to stunt prospects of development for years to come. This perspective is unequivocally articulated in the United Nations Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism (2015), which states: Violent extremism undermines our collective efforts towards maintaining peace and security, fostering sustainable development, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and taking humanitarian action.

UNDP report: Journey to Extremism in Africa  |  Project website: Stories of Survivors   |  Press release

Photography Malin Fezehai and Ahmed Farah  |  Text Jessica Benko and Ahmed Farah

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