Security: African Leaders Meet in Nigeria to discuss Terrorism

The African counterterrorism summit in Nigeria aims to strengthen regional cooperation and partnerships to combat terrorism. It was jointly hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT).

The summit seeks to enhance intelligence sharing among African nations and promote African-led strategies on counterterrorism. Terrorism in Africa has increased significantly in recent years, with over 23,000 people killed in terrorist attacks last year alone. The threat is exacerbated by factors such as the illicit arms trade, unemployment, poverty, inadequate policing, marginalization, and political instability.

However, efforts to address these challenges face obstacles, including funding constraints and political tensions. The high-level Africa counterterrorism summit commenced in Nigeria, drawing attendees from across the globe. Positioned as the epicenter of global terrorism, Africa prompts leaders to seek change through regional collaboration and partnerships.

Jointly hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT), the summit aims to bolster regional security response and cooperation against terrorism. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu underscored the gravity of terrorism's threat during his remarks at the two-day summit in Abuja. He emphasized the need for united efforts, combining national determination with tailored regional and international collaboration.

The summit aims to bolster intelligence sharing among African nations and advocate for African-led counterterrorism strategies. It also aims to guide the international community's collective response to terrorism on the continent. Despite local and foreign interventions, terrorism and violent extremism continue to escalate across Africa.

A study by the African Center for Strategic Studies revealed a staggering increase of over 100,000% in acts of terror over the last two decades. Tragically, more than 23,000 lives were lost to terrorism in Africa last year alone, marking a 20% increase from 2022.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo emphasized the transnational nature of terrorism, necessitating dynamic and coordinated responses transcending national borders and individual efforts. He highlighted the urgency in combatting terrorism, which poses a significant threat to peace, security, and development in Africa.

Authorities attribute the rise of terrorism in Africa to various factors, including the illicit arms trade, unemployment, poverty, inadequate policing, marginalization, and political instability.

Nigeria, in particular, has grappled with violence perpetrated by groups like Boko Haram and its splinter faction, ISWAP, in the northeast. Additionally, the proliferation of armed gangs known as bandits exacerbates the security challenges.

Nigeria's security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized the need for comprehensive strategies addressing the root causes of terrorism. These strategies should focus on socioeconomic development, governance enhancement, conflict resolution, and strengthening regional and international cooperation. However, securing funding for such initiatives remains a significant challenge in Africa. Authorities aspire to shift the narrative by highlighting the crucial role of African regional organizations in countering terrorism effectively.

Vladimir Voronkov, undersecretary-general of the UNOCT, underscored the importance of supporting Africa-led solutions to address the continent's security challenges. He emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts, grounded in strong national ownership and supported by bilateral funding partners. Acts of terror predominantly concentrate in the Sahel, Somalia, the Lake Chad Basin, North Africa, and Mozambique. However, the absence of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from the summit, due to coup-related sanctions imposed by ECOWAS and the African Union, underscores the imperative for inclusive counterterrorism measures.

Critics stress the importance of involving every country in counterterrorism efforts for genuine success.

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