Consider the following statements : Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II : There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Statement-I is correct. The Sahel region (a belt of land south of the Sahara Desert, stretching across West and East Africa) has indeed been facing severe instability and a worsening security situation. This is primarily due to the rise of extremist groups, inter-communal violence, and governance challenges, leading to widespread displacement and humanitarian crises. Statement-II is correct. In recent years (especially since 2020), several countries in the Sahel region (e.g., Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea) have experienced military coups d'état, often amidst widespread discontent over insecurity and governance. These military takeovers have further exacerbated the political and security instability in the region. Furthermore, Statement-II directly explains Statement-I. The prevalence of military takeovers and coups d'état is a significant cause and manifestation of the political instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. These events disrupt governance, weaken state institutions, and often create power vacuums that extremist groups exploit, thus contributing to the overall deteriorating security landscape. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I.