The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, warned the Security Council on Thursday that the Islamic State and its affiliates are rapidly gaining strength in West Africa and the Sahel region. Voronkov expressed concern that ISIS still poses a significant threat to global security, with a desire to carry out terrorist attacks worldwide.
According to Voronkov, the current trend suggests that ISIS could soon gain control over a vast territory stretching from Mali to northern Nigeria. The group’s influence is also expanding in parts of Mozambique, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Voronkov attributed the group’s growing power to its ability to adapt and exploit the complex political situation in the Sahel region.
The U.N. counter-terrorism chief noted that the Islamic State has become increasingly decentralized and flexible, allowing it to take advantage of the region’s instability. The group’s use of sophisticated technology, such as drones, cryptocurrency, and 3D printing, has also become more prevalent.
Natalia Gherman, director of the U.N. counter-terrorism committee, reported that the African continent now accounts for nearly half of all terrorist acts worldwide, with the central Sahel region being particularly affected. Gherman emphasized the need for national governments and Interpol to work together to counter ISIS’s online presence.
Interpol Secretary-General Jurgen Stock highlighted the growing connections between terrorist groups and organized crime, citing examples of cocaine smuggling operations in the Sahel region. Stock noted that these interactions often benefit both parties, allowing them to expand their operations and influence.
Voronkov also expressed concern about the growing capabilities of ISIS-K, the group’s affiliate in Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban’s efforts to reduce the group’s ability to conduct attacks, ISIS-K remains a significant threat.
The U.N. representatives from Mozambique, Algeria, and Sierra Leone concurred that their region has become the “new epicenter of terrorism.” They called for increased support from the international community to counter the growing influence of terrorist organizations.
China and Russia, both members of the Security Council, offered their perspectives on counter-terrorism. China emphasized the need to respect national sovereignty and avoid using counter-terrorism as a pretext for interference. Russia, meanwhile, accused Western countries of applying “double standards” on human rights and claimed that terrorism is flourishing in areas occupied by foreign military forces, such as Syria.
