At a United Nations Security Council Arria-formula meeting, U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood delivered an address on the urgent need to combat the rise of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.
Ambassador Robert Wood stated the role of inclusive democratic processes and international partnerships in addressing the growing threat.
The Sahel has become the global epicenter of terrorism-related deaths. Ambassador Robert Wood highlighted the necessity of involving civil society in counterterrorism efforts to address the underlying conditions that foster terrorism and violent extremism. He noted that overly broad counterterrorism laws can inadvertently contribute to radicalization by shrinking civic space.
Ambassador Robert Wood praised ECOWAS and the African Union for promoting the meaningful participation of women in peace and security initiatives. He stressed the importance of ensuring women’s voices are heard in these processes, particularly through partnerships with local leaders.
The Ambassador condemned the disproportionate impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women and girls in the region, specifically by terrorist groups like Boko Haram.
He welcomed the recent adoption of Resolution 2734, which acknowledges such acts as criteria for sanctions under the ISIL and Al-Qaida regimes.
Additionally, Robert Wood expressed deep concern over the Wagner Group’s human rights abuses and disinformation campaigns, which exacerbate local grievances and fuel terrorist recruitment. He underscored the U.S. commitment to transparent information ecosystems to counter disinformation.
The U.S. has funded several UNOCT programs and provided nearly $1.9 billion in humanitarian assistance across Africa in the current fiscal year. Ambassador Robert Wood called for the rapid deployment of UN Resident Coordinators in Burkina Faso and Niger to support development and humanitarian efforts.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Wood reaffirmed the United States’ dedication to collaborating with Security Council members and African partners to reinvigorate collective counterterrorism efforts.
