New York: The security situation across the Sahel region is rapidly worsening, posing a significant threat to peace and security in West Africa's coastal states and beyond. During a recent Security Council meeting, delegates condemned the deliberate targeting and exploitation of women and girls who are caught in the crossfire of escalating terrorism.
According to EMM, Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), highlighted the convergence of grave global concerns in the Sahel, including terrorism, coups, environmental degradation, and poverty. These crises disproportionately affect women and girls, with over 1 million girls in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso out of school due to terrorist threats. Bahous stressed that abduction is used as a tactic by terrorist groups in the region, with a marked increase in such incidents in countries like Burkina Faso.
Bahous called on governments and regional bodies to ensure the full and equal participation of women in transitional governments and peace and security efforts. She recommended allocating at least 15 percent of violent extremism prevention funding towards gender equality initiatives and urged the rapid deployment of women protection advisers to monitor sexual violence trends in the region.
Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, echoed the need for women's involvement, emphasizing their capacity to foster change and lead peacebuilding efforts. Despite existing frameworks, she noted that sustainable transformation remains weak, as women's participation is often seen as an add-on rather than a strategic imperative.
Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), presented the Secretary-General's latest report, which highlighted the increasing scale and sophistication of terrorist activity in the region. He noted efforts by the Alliance of Sahel States to counter these threats, including the establishment of a joint defense force and a Criminal Court in Bamako.
The humanitarian situation in the region is dire, with millions facing acute food insecurity and severe malnutrition. Simão emphasized the urgent need for resource mobilization to address these challenges, as current funding falls significantly short.
During the Security Council discussion, delegates expressed concern about the severe human rights violations targeting women and girls, including abductions and sexual violence. They called for enhanced protection measures and greater inclusion of women in peace processes and decision-making roles.
The volatile security situation, compounded by terrorist threats from groups like Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State affiliates, demands coordinated international action. Delegates from countries such as Slovenia and Sierra Leone emphasized the need for a multidimensional approach that addresses the root causes of extremism while promoting regional cooperation and development.
Pakistan's representative underscored the importance of focusing on both kinetic actions and underlying factors contributing to extremism. The Republic of Korea highlighted the significant impact of terrorism in the Sahel region, as reported in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, and urged for coordinated responses to dismantle transboundary terrorist networks.
The Security Council's discussions underscored the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates security and development, as emphasized by delegates from China and France. Regional unity and cooperation are crucial to addressing the complex challenges facing the Sahel and ensuring sustainable peace and development across the region.