The briefing by Alexandre Zouev and Natalia Gherman (Executive Director of the CTED) didn’t just highlight gaps; it provided a roadmap. As the “coup belt” in the Sahel complicates traditional military alliances, the UN is proposing a “whole-of-society” shift to reclaim the region.
1. Preserving the “Cohesion” of Regional Coalitions
One of the most urgent calls from the summit was for the preservation of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF).
The Niger Factor: Following Niger’s withdrawal from the MNJTF in 2025, the UN warned that “fractured alliances” are the group’s greatest opportunity.
The Solution: The Security Council is pushing for a “reinvigorated regionalism” where Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria share real-time intelligence to close the border gaps that ISWAP currently exploits.
2. The “Repatriation” Emergency
The UN made a blunt assessment of the situation in Northeast Syria, where tens of thousands remain in overcrowded detention camps like Al-Hol.
The “Fertile Ground”: Natalia Gherman warned that these camps are “ticking time bombs” for radicalization.
The 2026 Goal: The UN is calling on member states to accelerate the safe and dignified repatriation of their nationals. By bringing individuals home to face justice or rehabilitation, states can prevent the next generation of ISIS fighters from being “born in the camps.”
3. Bridging the “Human Rights vs. Security” Divide
A recurring theme of the 2026 briefing was that “kinetic” (military) solutions alone are failing.
Addressing Root Causes: The UN is pivoting toward “nationally owned prevention.” This means investing in social development, education, and human rights to address the grievances that ISIL’s AI bots use to recruit.
The New Standard: Any counter-terrorism measure that violates international law, the UN argued, ultimately acts as a “recruitment brochure” for the very groups it tries to destroy.
