DSG says terrorism intensifying across Africa, exploits instability, conflict 

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau

UNITED NATIONS, 11th Nov. UN deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed on Thursday briefed the members of the Security Council said that the growth of terrorism is a major threat to international peace and security, which has spread across Africa.

Ms. Mohammad on behalf of the Secretary General Antonio Guterres told that “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 said that with misogyny at the core of many terrorist groups’ ideology, women and girls are bearing the brunt of insecurity and inequality.

DSG noted that in last two years, some of the most violent affiliates of Da’esh have expanded, increasing their presence in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as well as southward into the Gulf of Guinea.

“Terrorist and violent extremist groups aggravate instability and human suffering. And they can plunge a country emerging from war back into the depths of conflict”, she stated.

She reiterated that terrorists, non-State armed groups and criminal networks often pursue different agendas and strategies, fuelled by smuggling, human trafficking and other methods of illicit financing – sometimes impersonating legitimate armed forces.

Ms. Mohammad also acknowledged that as digital tools spread hate and disinformation, terrorists and other criminal groups are exploiting inter-communal tensions and food insecurity triggered by climate change.

She stressed that the spread of terrorism in Africa is “not a concern for African Member States alone,” in today’s hyper-connected world.

“The challenge belongs to us all. Countering international terrorism requires effective multilateral responses”, she said

She noted that climate emergency, armed conflict and poverty and inequality to lawless cyberspace, and the uneven recovery from COVID-19, also pointed out that terrorism is converging with other threats.

Ms. Mohammad cited the New Agenda for Peace Our Common Agenda report for a holistic, comprehensive approach.

She noted that increasing polarization, which she said it proposes ways to address risks and revitalize our collective peace and security system.

Ms. Mohammad outlined five suggestions to advance counter-terrorism efforts in Africa, reminded that “prevention remains our best response”.

“We must address the instability and conflict that can lead to terrorism in the first place, and the conditions exploited by terrorists in pursuit of their agendas”.

She called for community-based, gender-sensitive “whole-of-society” approaches.

Ms. Mohammad noted “complex links between terrorism, patriarchy and gender-based violence”,

She said counter-terrorism policies needed to be “strengthened by the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls”.

DSG underscored in her third point that “countering terrorism can never be an excuse for violating human rights or international law” as it would “only set us back”.

She stressed to importance of regional organisations which can address challenges posed by terrorist and violent extremist groups in the local context.

Ms. Mohamed called for “sustained and predictable funding” to prevent and counter terrorism.

She told the Council that from economic deprivation to organized crime and governance challenges, “the magnitude of the problem calls for bold investment”.

Ms. Mohammad praised the planned October 2023 Summit on counterterrorism in Africa as an opportunity to consider ways to strengthen the UN’s efforts across the continent overall.

She expressed confidence that today’s debate would offer insights for the summit, and “help to build peaceful, stable communities and societies across the continent”.

Ghanaian President and the president of the Security Council Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cited the importance of restoring effective State authority and promoting inclusive governance across the continent.

He urged the Council to support AU-led counter-terror operations, including with predictable funding.

African Union Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, stressed the daily physical and psychological damage caused by terrorism and reminded that conventional responses and old models are no longer relevant to counter evolving threats on the ground.

Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, Managing Director for Common Security and Defence Policy and Crisis Response with the European Union’s diplomatic wing noted the need for security support and underscored the role of sustainable development for nourishing peace.

Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group briefed the Council, and said that technical and military solutions would not end terrorist threats on their own,.

And he called for a new counter-terror toolkit that includes more dialogue with armed groups and can promote local ceasefire arrangements.