Senior officials expressed new worries about the worsening security conditions in West Africa and the Sahel, urging immediate, unified regio...
Senior officials expressed new worries about the worsening security conditions in West Africa and the Sahel, urging immediate, unified regional efforts to address growing terrorist groups.
The United Nations Security CouncilOn Wednesday, there was a call for immediate and collaborative efforts to address the rising threat of terrorism throughout West Africa and the Sahel, with a warning that the area is rapidly emerging as a major hub for violent extremism.
Senior representatives from the council expressed new worries about worsening safety conditions in West Africa, pointing to the quick spread of extremist groups and the increasing number of casualties from assaults.
Speaking to the Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the conditions in the Sahel and surrounding areas "are becoming increasingly dire each day," highlighting an increase in terrorist incidents, deteriorating fuel restrictions in Mali, and a possible "catastrophic chain reaction throughout the whole region."
He cautioned that organizations such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), along with ISWAP, Boko Haram, and Lakurawa, are increasing their presence throughout the Lake Chad Basin, especially in Nigeria and Niger, as violence moves toward coastal nations like Benin and Togo.
As per the Global Terrorism Index, five of the top ten nations suffering from terrorism are located in the Sahel region, contributing to 19 percent of worldwide attacks and over half of all fatalities caused by terrorist activities.
Mr. Guterres called for a coordinated regional approach, enhanced collaboration between ECOWAS and the Sahel States Alliance, and consistent funding for programs such as the G5 Sahel.
He also advocated for a development approach that tackles the underlying factors contributing to extremism, such as poverty, poor governance, climate-related crises, and limited economic prospects.
U.S. Expresses Worry About Specific Attacks in Nigeria
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, drew attention to what he referred to as the "continuous killing of thousands of Christians" in northern Nigeria at the hands of armed factions and extremist groups.
He voiced significant worry about the increase in abductions and hostage situations, yet specifically highlighted Nigeria, referring to what he called "the continuous killing of thousands of Christians" by armed groups, militias, and terrorist entities, such as Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in northern Nigeria.
Mr. Waltz denounced the incidents "most strongly," referencing the kidnapping of 25 female students from Maga Comprehensive Girls' Secondary School in Kebbi State this week.
It is heartbreaking and completely intolerable. Places of worship are on fire. Towns are being destroyed. Many lives are lost. Religious leaders are being killed merely for wearing a cross, for being Christian, for having the courage to declare their faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
He criticized the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from Kebbi State this week and blamed Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa for setting fire to churches, destroying villages, and murdering religious leaders.
The American envoy called on the Nigerian authorities to enhance safety measures, combat lack of accountability, and resolve the causes of conflict.
He also condemned the 2023 UN veto that concluded Mali's sanctions framework, labeling it a step back for responsibility and local stability.
The American envoy is the sole individual to have brought up claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Leaders from Different Areas Caution Against Division
The head of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, described terrorism as "a critical threat to West Africa," referencing 450 incidents and over 1,900 fatalities from January to November 2025.
He cautioned that disjointed efforts and lack of trust between nations hinder intelligence exchange, emphasizing the importance of stable funding and unified regional actions. "No sum of money, no quantity of equipment can assist us in fighting terrorism if we fail to cooperate and establish trust," he stated.
President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, addressing as the ECOWAS Chair, highlighted that Africa's peace is fundamental to global stability and underscored the importance of reintegration and communication with neighboring countries Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
He emphasized the importance of intelligence exchange, air mobility, logistics, and monitoring to stop the Sahel from turning into a lasting base for extremists. "If we don't take firm action, the Sahel might become a permanent refuge for extremist groups," Mr. Bio cautioned.
Multiple delegations highlighted the significance of backing African-driven programs.
The United Kingdom reasserted its dedication to collaborating with African allies, offering financial support and educational programs for Nigeria's National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Côte d'Ivoire's Counter-Terrorism Academy, and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit that assists the Multinational Joint Taskforce.
These initiatives seek to enhance intelligence exchange and regional preparedness. Greece pointed out the dangers facing sea routes in the Gulf of Guinea, emphasizing the economic impact of piracy and unlawful actions, and outlined Greece's involvement in training programs.
The International Counterterrorism Academy of Côte d'Ivoire, which has been active since 2021, aims to promote a counter-terrorism culture throughout Africa, according to the nation's representative. Nevertheless, inadequate resources and the division of current structures have hindered its impact.
In this scenario, greater involvement and action from the global community—especially the Security Council—are essential.
Pakistan pointed out that 5 out of the 10 countries most impacted by extremism are located in the Sahel, and it mentioned that dangers are expanding into coastal West Africa. It highlighted that the inhabitants of West Africa and the Sahel "deserve a future shaped not by fear, but by peace, respect, and progress," urging continuous political commitment, consistent global assistance, and united determination.
In the meantime, China emphasized the significance of acknowledging the sovereignty of nations, while focusing on development, job creation, and involving young people to tackle underlying issues.
The Russian Federation emphasized the Kremlin's backing of African nations, providing education, technical help, and development opportunities in law enforcement, border control, counter-terrorism, finance, and inter-agency cooperation, which has been met with "very positive responses" from African counterparts.
Denmark emphasized the serious humanitarian impacts resulting from the worsening security conditions, noting that "instability in any location poses a risk to stability globally," and urged Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to renew their commitment to collaboration with ECOWAS and the African Union.
On behalf of the Alliance of Sahel States, Mali's representative stated: "We are completely willing to work with neighboring nations and allies, while maintaining our sovereignty, strategic decisions, and the well-being of our population."
Burkina Faso stated that the battle cannot be successful without consistent, reliable assistance that is not influenced by political factors and must tackle the underlying reasons for violence, such as poverty, exclusion, and the absence of prospects for young people.
Delegations concluded that overcoming terrorism necessitates comprehensive approaches that tackle governance, involvement of young people, climate-related crises, and collaborative efforts across regions.
"Only terrorist networks gain from fragmentation," Somalia cautioned, while Ghana emphasized that communication between ECOWAS and the Sahel States Alliance will restore confidence and strengthen peace.
Algeria and Guyana emphasized the importance of regional cooperation via African Union channels, intelligence sharing, and the dismantling of illegal financial systems.
From its perspective, Senegal highlighted backing grounded in the principle of "African solutions to African problems" and the importance of long-term funding to address conflicts.
Members of the council emphasized that successful regional security relies on collaborative, inclusive, and well-funded African-led efforts, supported by focused international assistance that tackles both urgent dangers and deeper socioeconomic weaknesses.
The Security Council consists of 15 members: five permanent ones, which include China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with ten non-permanent members who are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The present non-permanent members are Algeria (2025); Denmark (2026); Greece (2026); Guyana (2025); Pakistan (2026); Panama (2026); Republic of Korea (2025); Sierra Leone (2025); Slovenia (2025); and Somalia (2026).
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