African Leaders and UN Unite in Abuja Declaration to Combat Terrorism
Written by Deborah Oyinloye on April 24, 2024
In a significant move to address the pressing issue of terrorism in Africa, a coalition of African leaders, including Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Defence, National Security Advisors, and representatives of regional organizations and the United Nations, have ratified the Abuja Declaration.
The declaration, formulated after the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting held in Abuja on Monday and Tuesday, aims to bolster concerted efforts in tackling terrorism across the continent.
Themed “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa,” the declaration underscores the ongoing relevance of existing instruments adopted by the African Union and the United Nations, as well as the normative frameworks of participating Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms. These frameworks are crucial for combating terrorism and violent extremism in Africa.
Recognizing the imperative to silence the guns on the continent by 2030, the declaration highlights the grave threat posed by the proliferation of terrorism and violent extremism to peace, security, and stability in Africa. It also acknowledges the detrimental impact of terrorism on the attainment of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.
The declaration emphasizes the escalating activities of terrorist groups across various regions of Africa, particularly in West Africa, the Sahel, Central, Eastern, and Northern Africa, exacerbating insecurity. It underscores the exploitation of local grievances, inequalities, poor governance, and human rights abuses by terrorist groups to expand their operational networks and propagate radical ideologies.
African leaders stress the importance of addressing the root causes and structural drivers of terrorism and violent extremism and advocate for greater collective action to confront these challenges effectively.
The declaration advocates for an African-led and African-owned approach to counter-terrorism, emphasizing regional and sub-regional cooperation, prevention, and capacity-building initiatives. It reaffirms the commitment to enhancing the security of African States in line with the Common African Defence and Security Policy, seeking African solutions to Africa’s security challenges.
Furthermore, the declaration condemns terrorist threats against vulnerable targets and urges international partners to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards terrorism. It pays tribute to African citizens and peacekeeping personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism.
In addressing terrorism and violent extremism, the declaration emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, particularly the meaningful participation of women, youth, victims of terrorist activities, and marginalized communities in decision-making processes.
A call for enhanced cooperation and collaboration among UN and AU member states in combating terrorism, radicalization, and violent extremism is reiterated, along with the need for joint operations, extradition agreements, and the sharing of best practices.
The declaration also stresses the importance of countering terrorist propaganda and calls for the cessation of support for terrorist groups on the continent. It appeals for the withdrawal of all foreign terrorist fighters from African soil.
In conclusion, the declaration expresses gratitude to the Government of Nigeria for hosting the High-Level African Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and calls for the endorsement of the declaration by the African Union Peace and Security Council, with a recommendation for action by the United Nations Security Council.
Source: NAN
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Author: Deborah Oyinloye
With an interest in media, Deborah aims to impart the lives of people positively.
