UN experts warns of rising ISIS threat in Africa despite positive measures

The UN counter-terrorism chief warned on Thursday that the Islamic State group poses a growing threat in West Africa and the Sahel, while remaining focused on carrying out attacks abroad.

Vladimir Voronkov highlighted the group’s increased operations in Iraq, Syria, and Southeast Asia, adding that the situation in West Africa and the Sahel has deteriorated, with local disputes intersecting with the extremist group’s agenda.

According to the UN official, the group’s affiliates are operating with more autonomy, raising concerns of instability from Mali to Nigeria.

The African continent now accounts for almost half of terrorist acts worldwide, with a significant portion of about 25% occurring in the central Sahel, noted executive director of the U.N. Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate.

Despite setbacks, the Islamic State still has thousands of fighters and is attempting to resurge in the Middle East and Southeast and Central Asia.

Efforts to tackle the group’s financing have reduced its financial reserves. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s efforts have reportedly impacted the Islamic State’s ability to conduct attacks. The UN is also focusing on addressing the use of new technology for terrorist purposes. Interpol is collaborating with the UN on projects to prevent the exploitation of enablers for terrorist purposes and to collect data on links between organized crime and terrorists.