The Islamic State and its affiliates pose a growing threat in West Africa and the Sahel, ministers from 32 members of the international coalition against the jihadist group agreed on Thursday in a videoconference.
The ministers "noted with concern the emerging threat posed by Daesh/ISIS affiliates and branches worldwide, in particular in West Africa and the Sahel," said a statement after the videoconference.
The videoconference was chaired by Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio and United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo.
"The Coalition reaffirmed its plans for a meeting focused on capacity building in West Africa and the Sahel that would fully respect international law, be upon the request and prior consent of the countries concerned, and be coordinated with existing efforts and initiatives, including the Coalition for the Sahel," said the statement.
The ministers agreed on the urgent need to pursue information sharing on known members of IS affiliates, including via multilateral law enforcement channels like interpol, and particularly for border security purposes and increasing strategic communications.
"Together we remain firmly united in our outrage at Daesh/ISIS’s atrocities and in our determination to eliminate this global threat," said the statement, referring to Arabic and US acronyms for the group.
