The United Nations has called for renewed unity and cooperation in the Sahel and West Africa, highlighting that collective action can counter terrorism, bridge political divisions, and build resilience against climate shocks to ensure regional stability.
The call was made by the UN Under-Secretary-General Leonardo Santos Simão during the Regional Conference on Combating Terrorist Groups and Strengthening Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS and Sahel Region, hosted by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with ECOWAS in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Simão stated that the security landscape was shifting at an “alarming rate”, with five of the world’s ten most terror-affected countries situated in West Africa and the Sahel.
According to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, the region recorded the highest number of fatalities globally in 2024, marking a sharp increase from the previous year.
He observed that groups have become more advanced—adopting drones, encrypted communications, and cyber tools—while exploiting community grievances and ungoverned areas.
Simão citing the recruitment of 1,364 children, 466 cases of sexual violence, and 14,364 schools closed across the region last year due to insecurity, warned that “these numbers represent stolen futures, fractured communities, and deepening fragility.”
The UN envoy highlighted new incursions into sensitive border zones such as Tambacounda, which spans Mali, Senegal, Guinea and Mauritania, as well as the protected eco-parks of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods.
He emphasised that political tensions between neighbouring states and the effects of climate change were intensifying insecurity—fueling resource-based conflicts, displacements, and offering terrorist groups fresh recruitment opportunities.
Despite these challenges, Simão welcomed progress made through ECOWAS’ successful dialogue with the Alliance of Sahel States to maintain free movement, the establishment of a new ECOWAS-AU Joint Threat Fusion Cell for intelligence-sharing, and the landmark Abuja summit of 37 African Chiefs of Defence Staff.
“All these are positive developments indeed; however, we all agree that military action alone will not bring lasting peace,” he said.
He further cautioned that the projected USD 3.2 billion defence expenditure by the Central Sahel in 2025 could deprive education, health, and climate initiatives of vital funding.
Proffered Solutions
He called for investment in governance, youth and women, and action against illicit networks, drug trafficking, illegal mining, and arms smuggling, that finance extremist groups.
Simão also underscored the upgrade of Abuja’s Counter Terrorism Centre into a Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, describing it as “an urgent need to complement technical and research institutions, to fight terrorism with more advanced intellectual tools.
“No country can address terrorism alone. We must move decisively beyond rhetoric to forge a common response, anchored in solidarity,” he urged, adding that communities must view their security forces as “protectors and partners.”
Delivering a statement on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom announced plans for a regional force and pledged deeper cooperation to confront extremist groups destabilising West Africa and the Sahel.
He reiterated that terrorism has become “a major threat to integration, trade, and peace in our region.”
ECOWAS Strategy
ECOWAS presented two models under review for its proposed regional counter-terror force:
– A 5,000-strong brigade estimated to cost $2.61 billion annually
– A phased 1,650-strong brigade with an initial cost of $481.5 million in the first year
Musah emphasised that “Fighting terrorism remains a top priority for achieving collective security and regional stability,” highlighting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
The Abuja conference builds on the ministerial session held on 29th August, where ECOWAS defence and finance ministers explored funding mechanisms to operationalise the standby force.
The Sahel Shift
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 identifies Africa as the new epicentre of extremist violence. Burkina Faso now ranks as the most terrorised country globally, surpassing Pakistan. Instability in Mali, Niger and northern Nigeria has transformed the Sahel corridor into the heart of global terrorism.
Nigeria’s Role
Recognising Nigeria’s leadership, Musah commended President Bola Tinubu, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, and NCTC Coordinator Major General Adamu Laka for “friendship, partnership and resolve in building a regional Counter-Terrorism Centre of Excellence.”