The United Kingdom shares the concern that Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates are continuing to expand across West Africa and the Sahel, driving instability and committing deadly attacks against civilians. The fuel blockade in Mali imposed by Al-Qaeda-affiliate, JNIM, demonstrates the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by these groups.

I will make three points.

First, regional security and political cooperation is critical to addressing the threat of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.

We welcome the increased engagement between states in the region and encourage ECOWAS and AES members to continue deepening dialogue. We also welcome UNOWAS’s efforts to facilitate cooperation.

Regionally-led security initiatives could play an important role in tackling the threat from terror

See Full Page