Around 2,500 “Daesh” terrorists fleeing from Iraq, Syria and Yemen have entered the Sahel region

The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security Mr Smail Chergui stated on Wednesday in Algiers that despite counter-terrorism achievements in Africa, “mobilization must be almost permanent” due to the hovering threat posed by the infiltration of some 2,500 foreign terrorists into the African continent notably in the Sahel region, after fleeing from Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

“We are witnessing today a broadened action field of terrorist groups in Mali and in neighboring countries. Moreover, the arrival of foreign armed terrorists in the Sahel region further complicates the situation following the recovery of some towns occupied by the self-proclaimed terrorist group “Islamic State” (ISIS) or (Daesh),” said Mr Smail Chergui at the opening ceremony of the 10th Focal Points meeting held by the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACRST).

Referring to security experts’ estimates, Mr Chergui noted that “around 2,000 and 2,500 armed terrorists might come back either to Europe, to their homeland or to Africa.”  

According to Mr Chergui, some armed terrorists returned to Somalia from Yemen. This issue must be “a priority” as it requires “the exchange information and intelligence among all partners in order to face up to any adverse contingency,” underlined the AU Peace and Security Commissioner.

Regarding Libya, the AU official stressed that following the recovery of Sirte city by forces of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA); from the terrorist group (ISIS-Daesh), the situation now requires “an increased attention” whether on the borders with Tunisia or in all countries of the Sahel region.

“We need an almost permanent attention” regarding this outstanding issue, he affirmed.

In response to a question on the possible creation of an “African force” under the banner of the UN, the same official ruled out such a possibility.