UK Raises Alarm Over Expanding Terror Networks in West Africa, Sahel

The United Kingdom has expressed deep concern over the widening footprint of Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates across West Africa and the Sahel, warning that the growing threat is fuelling instability across the region.

UK Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations, James Kariuki, delivered the caution yesterday at a UN Security Council briefing on West Africa, where he described the security situation as increasingly precarious.

Kariuki noted that extremist groups were deploying more sophisticated tactics in their operations, citing the fuel blockade imposed in Mali by the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) as a troubling example.

He stressed that stronger regional cooperation remained central to reversing the trend, commending the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) for deepening dialogue among member states.

According to him, ongoing efforts to strengthen a standby force, reinforce the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and implement ECOWAS’ Counter-Terrorism Strategy are essential steps toward stabilising the region.

Kariuki described Security Council Resolution 2719 as a landmark initiative that provides a framework for UN support to African Union-led peace operations.

Reaffirming the UK’s backing for African-driven security responses, he highlighted British funding and training for Nigeria’s National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Côte d’Ivoire’s Counter-Terrorism Academy, and the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit working with the MNJTF.

The envoy, however, urged West African states to “choose security partners carefully” to avoid partnerships that could aggravate existing threats.

He also called for broader reforms to address the underlying drivers of insecurity, including poor governance, poverty, disinformation, shrinking civic space, and climate-related pressures.

Unless these issues are tackled, he warned, terrorism and violent conflict will continue to devastate communities and disproportionately affect women and children across the region.