Demographic sample and research methodology

The Journey to Extremism 2.0 report is the product of an intensive two-year research process, undertaken in areas of sub-Saharan Africa that have been most directly affected by violent extremist activity. Interviews with former members of VE groups were conducted in eight countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan. When the study was initiated, these countries were all characterized either as epicentres of violent extremism or as spill-over countries, and so were selected based on their empirical relevance for examining the phenomenon of violent extremism. An unprecedented number of former VE group members were interviewed for this study. The 2,196 interviewees represent a nearly 70 percent increase in the number of respondents compared with the 2017 study. Eight hundred and eighty-four of the respondents were individuals who previously or, in a handful of cases, at the time of the interview, were still members of violent extremist organizations, which they had joined voluntarily. Interview data were collected from May 2020 to August 2021.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions