Terrorism Remains a Threat in West Africa

Terrorism continues to ravage the lives of millions across the Sahel and has spread and shifted southward. “And we condemn in the strongest terms all attacks by terrorist organizations,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.

The United States remains concerned about the situation in Mali, in particular, and acknowledges the counterterrorism efforts of the Malian armed forces.

“In Nigeria, the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians by various ethnic militias in the Middle Belt, as well as terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the north, is both tragic and unacceptable,” said Ambassador Waltz. “The mass abduction of students and teachers from religious schools in Nigeria is nothing short of barbaric. As President Trump has made clear, we cannot and will not stand by while such atrocities occur on a regular basis and without consequence.”

That is why the United States is taking decisive action under a new policy that will allow the State Department to restrict visa issuances to individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.

“The kidnapping and killing of innocent Christians must end, as must terrorist violence against all Nigerian faith communities,” stressed Ambassador Walz.

Following engagements with U.S. leadership the government of Nigeria has taken some steps to address these issues but much more remains to be done.

The United States calls for accountability for attacks perpetrated by al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists, ISIS-Sahel, ISIS-West Africa, Boko Haram, and all other terrorist groups operating in the region.

The U.S. urges the Sahelian states and their Coastal West African neighbors to set aside their differences and seek a coordinated response to terrorism, one that respects the rule of law and human rights, including military cooperation and intelligence sharing.

African leadership, with a coordinated response among all countries in the region, is critical. The United States, in turn, will continue to work with its regional partners to counter these common threats.

The United States is also closely following developments in Guinea Bissau and calls on all stakeholders to refrain from violence.

In Benin, the United States strongly condemns the acts of violence perpetrated against the government on December 7.

Finally, the crisis unfolding in Sudan continues to have far reaching impacts on peace and security in the Sahel. The United States calls on all belligerents in Sudan to immediately commit to and comply with a humanitarian truce without conditions. The people of Sudan cannot wait any longer. It is past time to end the violence.

It is time to work together to route the terrorists and seek peace and safety for the people of West Africa.