Terrorism and organized crime rampant in Sahel and spilling into West Africa coastal states, UN says

By Jade LozadaThe Associated PressUNITED NATIONS (AP) — Terrorism and organized crime by violent extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State are a “pervasive threat” in Africa’s volatile Sahel region and are spilling over to West Africa’s coastal countries, the top U.N. envoy for the area warned July 12.Leonardo Simão, the U.N. special representative for the Sahel and West Africa, said the focus on combating terrorism has had limited effect in stopping rampant illegal trafficking in the Sahel and the effort needs more police.An unidentified representative of the junta waves from a military vehicle as Malians supporting the recent overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita gathers to celebrate in the capital Bamako, Mali, on Aug. 21, 2020. The coup-hit nations of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso were meeting on July 6, 2024 in their first regional summit that officially sets them apart from the West Africa regional bloc after earlier announcing they were leaving the bloc. (AP Photo/File)“It’s drugs, it’s weapons, it’s human beings, it’s mineral resources, and even food,” Simão said after briefing the U.N. Security Council.According to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ new report on the Sahel and West Africa, hundreds of people have been killed in the...