"I am concerned about what we see as a continued expansion of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel. Most concerning is the continued expansion of al-Qaeda* through the Sahel, as they move really from north to south and threaten countries in the east and west as well," Sands told reporters, adding that this is the primary issue that the US and its partners are trying to address.
Daesh* is continuing its activity in the east of the Sahel too, he added.
28 February 2023, 08:39 GMT
Sands also mentioned the situation in the Gulf of Guinea, citing a range of challenges, from illegal unregulated fishing to more common threats such as piracy and a lack of maritime security.
* Terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia and many other countries