International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

In Africa, the human cost of terrorism is often measured in the aftermath of an attack: lives lost, buildings destroyed or communities displaced. Yet in today’s digital world, the experience of victims extends far beyond the immediate tragedy. Terrorism now plays out not only in physical spaces but also in the online sphere, where its impact lingers, multiplies, and adapts.

Across the continent, extremist groups have embraced digital tools as part of their strategy. They recruit on social media, disseminate propaganda in local languages, spread disinformation tailored to specific grievances, and in some cases, directly target individuals through threats and harassment. This digital reach means that victims are not only those injured or bereaved in attacks, but also those whose lives are upended by the online dimensions of extremism.

For a survivor in northern Nigeria, recovery may be hindered by the constant resurfacing of graphic propaganda videos on social media feeds. In Somalia, a journalist reporting on extremist activity may face doxxing and targeted online threats, forcing them into hiding. In Kenya, families of abducted relatives might endure online misinformation about their loved ones’ fate, prolonging uncertainty and trauma. These scenarios underline an important truth: the harm caused by terrorism is no longer confined to the scene of the attack.

Digital spaces have also become contested ground. In some cases, misinformation campaigns target entire communities, stigmatising them as sympathisers or collaborators. This can erode trust between neighbours, fracture social cohesion, and deepen pre-existing divisions. For victims, it can mean living under suspicion or exclusion long after the violence itself has subsided.

The reality is that many African societies entered the digital era rapidly, without the gradual development of robust safeguards such as cybersecurity protocols, media literacy programmes, or victim protection frameworks. While mobile connectivity has opened opportunities for commerce, education, and civic participation, it has also created vulnerabilities that extremist actors exploit.

Supporting victims in this context requires a broader approach than traditional post-crisis assistance. Physical safety remains essential, but it is not enough. There is an urgent need for digital protection, such as secure communication channels for survivors and their families, quick removal of harmful content, and stronger mechanisms to counter extremist narratives. Psychological support must also adapt, recognising that repeated online exposure to violent imagery can retraumatise survivors and hinder healing.

Equally important is ensuring that victims’ voices are part of the policy conversation. In many cases, counterterrorism measures are developed without consulting those directly affected, risking responses that focus solely on security while neglecting the social and emotional dimensions of recovery. Victims lived experiences can inform more effective prevention strategies, shape rehabilitation programmes, and guide the development of community-based counter-narratives.

Africa’s fight against terrorism is not only about dismantling armed groups; it is also about protecting the dignity and agency of those affected. In a digital age, this protection must extend into online spaces, where fear can spread as quickly as misinformation, and where the line between victim and target can blur overnight.

In moving forward, governments, tech companies, civil society, and communities themselves have a shared responsibility: to ensure that the victims of terrorism are not defined solely by their suffering, but supported to reclaim their voices, their safety, and their place in a society that stands firm against the forces that seek to divide it.