With Africa now facing some serious economic problems due to the commodity crash, it’s going to be harder for governments to respond to an increased pace of terror attacks.

Al-Qaeda may have entered the ranks of pro-government fighters in Mali. The continuing instability of Mali threatens to encourage further Islamist activity in the region.

Nigeria is beset by an Islamist militia with dreams of statehood, while the region due north, the Sahel, is roiled by terrorist activity and weapons trafficking. The U.S. should consider doing what it can to support this valuable ally.

A brazen morning bombing of a bus station on the outskirts of Abuja marks the largest terrorist attack ever this close to Nigeria’s capital. Though no group has yet claimed responsibility, the Islamist group Boko Haram is the likely culprit.