Collaborative Efforts by African Leaders to Combat Terrorism in the Region
African leaders convened at a high-level security summit in Abuja to address the escalating challenges posed by terrorism on the continent. Deliberations centered on strategies to enhance anti-terrorism measures amidst a surge in terror incidents across the region.
A high-level security summit was held in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Monday where African leaders gathered to discuss solutions to combat terrorism on the continent. This meeting comes at a time when there has been a noticeable increase in terror attacks.
The African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) reported that in 2023, Africa experienced an average of eight terror-related incidents per day, resulting in 44 daily casualties. This grim statistic includes the deaths of 7,000 civilians and 4,000 military personnel who were killed in these attacks.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who organized the summit, stressed the importance of tackling terrorism in Africa. He pointed out the various dangers posed by terrorist groups and emphasized the need for comprehensive security measures.
According to Ribadu, these groups take advantage of local weaknesses and worsen the existing instability, making it essential to implement integrated security strategies that involve military, economic, and regional cooperation efforts.
For the past 15 years, Nigeria, which is the most populous nation in Africa, has been dealing with a series of violent attacks from insurgent groups. These groups have established their bases in various parts of the troubled Sahel region in Africa, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives.
The rescue was announced a day after the Nigerian army said it had overrun a Boko Haram enclave in the vast Sambisa forest.
The rescue was announced a day after the Nigerian army said it had overrun a Boko Haram enclave in the vast Sambisa forest.
Adam Dobby/CNN
Related article
Chibok girl rescued after 10 years in Boko Haram captivity
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who chairs the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of establishing and strengthening a regional standby military force. This force, originally suggested in response to the July 2023 coup in Niger, would serve as a deterrent against large-scale terrorist activities.
Unfortunately, political unrest in the Sahel region has impeded efforts towards regional solidarity. Leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, countries greatly affected by insurgency, were noticeably absent from the summit due to facing sanctions for their involvement in coups.
During the summit, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe highlighted the importance of cooperation among states and defense and security forces to effectively tackle security threats.
In supporting Africa's fight against these threats, Gnassingbe emphasized the critical need for collaboration and unity among nations and their respective security forces.
The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, also participated in the two-day counter-terrorism summit supported by the United Nations.
Faki emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive Continental Strategic Plan of Action to effectively combat terrorism throughout Africa.
Tinubu and Faki are calling on the international community to increase their support for Africa's efforts to combat terrorism.
Faki expressed his confusion and concern over the lack of a coalition in Africa to address the devastating impact of terrorism on the continent. He questioned why the voices of African leaders are not being listened to and acted upon.
Editor's P/S:
The recent high-level security summit in Abuja highlights the urgent need for African nations to collaborate in combating terrorism, which has become a significant threat to the continent. The alarming rise in terror-related incidents, resulting in countless civilian casualties and military deaths, demands immediate action. It is crucial for African leaders to recognize the devastating effects of terrorism on regional stability, economic development, and human lives.
Furthermore, the absence of key leaders from insurgency-affected countries due to political unrest underscores the challenges in fostering regional solidarity. It is imperative to prioritize stability and cooperation over political differences to effectively address the common threat of terrorism. African nations must strengthen defense and security forces, establish a regional standby military force, and implement comprehensive security strategies to combat terrorism and its devastating consequences. International support and collaboration are also vital in providing resources, expertise, and a unified front against this global scourge.
