The United Nations in June created a program to support member countries in their efforts to combat the threat of international terrorism.
The creation of the Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT) means the UN now has an agency dedicated to addressing terrorism as a major threat to global peace and security.
Briefing the UN Security Council for the first time, the newly appointed Under-Secretary-General of the OCT, Vladimir Voronkov, said his office would help to strengthen international cooperation, and work to prevent violent extremism.
He says his office will address cyber-terrorism, and the threat of foreign terrorist fighters.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, praised the new office, saying the world body “must and can do more to help” fight terrorism around the world. She urged the UN “to step up” its efforts.
Africa is an area of particular concern with terrorist threats spanning the breadth of the continent-with al Shabaab in the east to Boko Haram in the west. Islamist groups threaten governments in North Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, extending into Libya.
Voronkov mentioned the recently created G5 Sahel joint force, which is based Mali. The UN recognized the need for a specialist unit specifically focused on the extremists threats in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
The first troops are due to be deployed next month to combat terrorism and drugs, as well as human and arms trafficking. And it is likely to work in close coordination with the new Office of Counter-Terrorism.
