Terrorism intensifying across Africa
The United Nations (UN) said yesterday that the growth of terrorism across Africa is a major threat to international peace and security.
Deputy UN chief, Amina Mohammed, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at the Security Council said: “Terrorists and violent extremists, including Da’esh, al-Qaida and their affiliates, have exploited instability and conflict to increase their activities and intensify attacks across the continent.
“Their senseless, terror-fuelled violence has killed and wounded thousands and many more continue to suffer from the broader impact of terrorism on their lives and livelihoods.”
She noted that with misogyny at the core of many terrorist groups’ ideology, women and girls in particular, are bearing the brunt of insecurity and inequality, adding that the spread of terrorism in Africa is “not a concern for African Member States alone, but for the whole world.”
Outlining five suggestions to advance counter-terrorism efforts in Africa, Mohammed noted that prevention remains the best response.
“We must address the instability and conflict that can lead to terrorism in the first place, as well as the conditions exploited by terrorists in pursuit of their agendas,” she said.
While calling for community-based, gender-sensitive ‘whole-of-society’ approaches, she noted that there is a complex link between terrorism, patriarchy and gender-based violence, saying counter-terrorism policies needed to be “strengthened by the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls.”
She explained that “countering terrorism can never be an excuse for violating human rights or international law as it would only set us back.”
Stressing the importance of regional organisations, in addressing challenges posed by terrorist and violent extremist groups in the local context, Mohammed finally called for “sustained and predictable funding to prevent and counter terrorism.”