BY VICTORIA OJEME
ABUJA—The European Union, EU, has said a properly coordinated regional approach to security would have the desired effect on the war on terror in the Sahel.

It also identified corruption, maladministration, illicit drug trade, population explosion and extreme poverty among factors fueling insurrections within the region.

EU also suggested a combination of socio-economic and political strategies requiring urgent attention to bring peace, security and development.

This was contained in a presentation by the EU Coordinator Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, Mr. Manuel Blanco, at a briefing, in Abuja.

Blanco, who is also the Director, West and Central Africa, at the European External Action Service, said the strategy developed by EU with its partners had four key themes.

He advised the three core-Sahelian states of Mauritania, Mali and Niger and other neighbouring countries, including: Burkina Faso, Chad, Algeria, Libya, Morroco and Nigeria to step up efforts to confront these challenges.