Terrorists Capitalize on COVID-19 to Erode State Authority, Attack National, International Forces in Sahel, Peacekeeping Chief Tells Security Council

African Members Emphasize Urgent Need to Boost Operational Capacity of G5 Sahel Joint Force, Humanitarian Relief for Displaced

COVID-19 has added a layer of complexity to the highly volatile security situation in the Sahel, with terrorists capitalizing on the pandemic to undermine State authority and launch unrelenting attacks against national and international forces, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Security Council in a 5 June videoconference meeting*.

“It will take years to rebuild affected communities in the Sahel, even under the best circumstances,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. “In the face of such loss and devastation, we cannot be passive,” he emphasized. He was presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation (document S/2020/373), which outlines options for strengthening the joint force of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) States — Burkina Faso, Chad, Malia, Mauritania and Niger.