The United Nations Security Council has issued a stark warning over the rapidly worsening security landscape in West Africa and the Sahel, urging urgent, coordinated regional action to confront the expansion of terrorist organisations across Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and neighbouring states.
During a high-level briefing in New York on Wednesday, senior UN officials detailed how violent extremism is spreading at unprecedented speed, turning the region into a global hotspot for terrorism.
UN Chief Warns of ‘Critical’ Deterioration Across Sahel and Lake Chad Basin
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said security conditions in the Sahel “are growing more critical by the day,” citing intensified attacks, fuel blockades in Mali, and fears of a cascading “domino effect” across the region.
Guterres listed major terror groups — JNIM, ISGS, ISWAP, Boko Haram, and Lakurawa — as expanding their reach from the Lake Chad Basin into coastal West Africa, threatening Benin, Togo, and Ghana.
He urged a comprehensive development-based response that tackles the root causes of extremism, including poverty, weak governance, climate shocks, and youth unemployment.
US Raises Alarm Over Christian Killings in Northern Nigeria
US Ambassador Mike Waltz expressed grave concern about the surge in kidnappings and extremist violence in northern Nigeria, describing what he called “the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians” by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and armed militias.
He condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State this week and accused extremist fighters of burning churches, killing clergy, and razing communities.
Waltz urged Nigeria to strengthen security, end impunity, and address the drivers of violence. He also criticised the 2023 UN veto that ended Mali’s sanctions regime, calling it a blow to regional stability.
The US was the only delegation to explicitly raise the issue of Christian persecution.
ECOWAS Leaders Warn: Terrorism Now an ‘Existential Threat’
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray told the Council that terrorism poses an “existential threat” to West Africa, reporting 450 attacks and 1,900 deaths between January and November 2025.
He said mistrust among states and fragmented responses undermine intelligence sharing. “No amount of money or equipment will defeat terror without collaboration and trust,” he warned.
ECOWAS Chair and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio echoed the concerns, urging reintegration and dialogue with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. He underscored the need for better air mobility, surveillance, and logistics to prevent extremist groups from entrenching themselves permanently.
International Partners Stress African-Led Solutions
Several delegations highlighted the importance of empowering African-led counter-terrorism initiatives.
- United Kingdom: Reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre and Côte d’Ivoire’s Counter-Terrorism Academy, and for intelligence coordination through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
- Greece: Warned of threats to Gulf of Guinea maritime routes and detailed its capacity-building efforts.
- Côte d’Ivoire: Noted that its International Counterterrorism Academy has strengthened regional training but lacks sufficient resources.
- Pakistan: Pointed out that five of the ten countries most affected by extremism are in the Sahel, calling for sustained political will and stronger global backing.
- China: Urged respect for national sovereignty and greater investment in development and youth engagement to curb radicalisation.
- Russia: Highlighted Moscow’s security assistance to African states, including training and technical support, saying feedback from African partners has been “highly positive.”
- Denmark: Warned of severe humanitarian impacts and urged Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to work closely with ECOWAS and the African Union.
Sahel States Demand Support Without Political Conditions
Representatives of Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Alliance of Sahel States insisted they remain open to cooperation but stressed that assistance must respect sovereignty and avoid political interference.
Burkina Faso emphasised that victory against terror requires predictable, coherent support and must address structural drivers like poverty, marginalisation, and lack of opportunities.
Calls for Unified Strategy as Terror Threat Expands
Delegations, including Somalia, Ghana, Algeria, and Guyana, warned that fragmentation directly benefits extremist networks. They urged unified regional and international coordination, intelligence sharing, and measures to disrupt illicit financial flows.
Senegal reiterated the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” while stressing the need for long-term financing for counter-terrorism.
Composition of the Council
The Security Council consists of 15 members:
Non-permanent members (current terms): Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia.
Permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
