New york: Terrorist groups in West Africa and the Sahel are evolving, expanding their influence to the Gulf of Guinea, and posing a growing threat to regional stability. The groups are administering territories, controlling trade routes, and leveraging new technologies, challenging government responses as regional dialogue efforts attempt to regain momentum. According to United Nations, Leonardo Santos Simo, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), addressed the Security Council on Tuesday, highlighting an evolving threat. Terrorist organizations and non-State armed groups are adapting rapidly, utilizing drones, sophisticated communication tools, and cryptocurrencies to modernize their operations. Their activities are coordinated across multiple countries, with strengthening ties to transnational criminal networks. Their goals extend beyond military operations, aiming to consolidate territorial and economic control while undermining public trust in government authorities. In Mali, a coa lition of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched coordinated attacks on April 25, targeting multiple cities, including Bamako and Kati. These offensives resulted in civilian and military casualties, including the Malian Minister of Defence. Fighting continues in the north, with road blockades and attacks on power lines disrupting supplies. Niger has experienced attacks on Niamey airport and a military base in Tahoua. Burkina Faso's northern and eastern regions face drone-assisted attacks. Nigeria's north and Middle Belt are plagued by kidnappings and repeated attacks impacting civilians. The region is experiencing an increase in population displacements, with nearly 6.8 million internally displaced persons and 1.3 million refugees and asylum seekers in West Africa and the Sahel as of February. The Gulf of Guinea States, previously less affected, now host approximately 220,000 refugees. Liberia, in particular, has seen a significant increase in Bu rkinabe nationals, straining resources and public services. Humanitarian access is deteriorating amid funding shortfalls, with women, children, and young people bearing the brunt of the crisis. Additionally, drug trafficking is on the rise, particularly in coastal states, with authorities conducting numerous seizures. Armed groups are reportedly using these substances, while cartels exert influence over public institutions, further weakening them. This development highlights the interconnectedness between terrorism, organized crime, and parallel economies, blurring lines between insurgency, trafficking, and effective governance in the region.