The Epidemic-Terrorism Nexus and How to Safeguard Africa Against Bioterrorism

This research paper explores the 'epidemic-terrorism nexus,' arguing that terrorist activities hindering polio eradication in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan should be viewed as a form of bioterrorism. It warns that the disruption caused by COVID-19 may encourage terrorists to use bioweapons and highlights a critical lack of research on bioterrorism within the African context.

• The convergence of frequent epidemics and pandemics, such as Ebola and COVID-19, with rising regional terrorism increases the risk that terrorist groups will use disease crises as political weapons, either directly or indirectly.
• Terrorism significantly obstructs polio eradication efforts in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan through targeted violence, anti-vaccination rhetoric, and anti-West suspicions. The author argues that these activities should be included in an expanded conceptualization of bioterrorism.
• The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to an increased use of bioweapons by terrorists, as the pandemic demonstrated the potential for mass destruction and disruption. There have already been reports of the COVID-19 virus being spread deliberately and terrorist groups exploiting the pandemic situation.
• Bioterrorism is identified as a significantly under-researched topic within the African context, which leaves the continent vulnerable as it faces a precarious nexus of conflict, terrorism, and disease.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2022). The Epidemic-Terrorism Nexus and How to Safeguard Africa Against Bioterrorism. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-epidemic-terrorism-nexus-and-how-to-safeguard-africa-against-bioterrorism/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. The Epidemic-Terrorism Nexus and How to Safeguard Africa Against Bioterrorism. 2022. https://saiia.org.za/research/the-epidemic-terrorism-nexus-and-how-to-safeguard-africa-against-bioterrorism/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=The Epidemic-Terrorism Nexus and How to Safeguard Africa Against Bioterrorism |date=20 June 2022 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/the-epidemic-terrorism-nexus-and-how-to-safeguard-africa-against-bioterrorism/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2022epidemicterrorism, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{The Epidemic-Terrorism Nexus and How to Safeguard Africa Against Bioterrorism}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2022}, month = jun, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/the-epidemic-terrorism-nexus-and-how-to-safeguard-africa-against-bioterrorism/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }