President Bola Tinubu has called for a unified action against terrorism in Africa.
Terrorism in Africa is a multifaceted phenomenon with diverse root causes and manifestations. From the activities of groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria to the al-Shabaab insurgency in Somalia, the continent has been plagued by various extremist organizations seeking to sow fear, destabilize governments, and undermine the rule of law. These groups often exploit grievances related to governance, socioeconomic inequality, and ethnic tensions to recruit followers and advance their destructive agendas.
Tinubu revealed this while addressing attendees at the African high-level counter-terrorism meeting, organized by the federal government with backing from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on Monday.
Speaking at the meeting which held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Tinubu said terrorism snipes at the fabric of the tranquil, prosperous and just societies envisioned for citizens.
He said, “This violent threat seeks to frighten the farmer from his field, children from their schools, women from the marketplace and families from their very homes. It wants the city dweller to cower and businesses to close.
“It craves despotism and suppression, not democracy and enlightened society. Its goal is to cause such havoc that we doubt our democratic principles, putting societies and governments into such confusion and disarray that we begin fighting among ourselves instead of fighting the very thing that seeks our destruction.”
Tinubu said terrorism has been a significant burden on the continent, adding that “while terrorism troubles us greatly at the moment, we do well to remember that terrorism is not of Africa.
“We must tell this imported evil that wants to bend and break us, that it shall do neither. Instead of making us bow, we shall banish it.”
The president emphasized the need for a cohesive approach, blending national determination with targeted regional and global cooperation to address insecurity across the continent.
President Tinubu’s call for unified action against terrorism comes at a critical juncture for Africa, as the continent grapples with the persistent threat of violent extremism. By emphasizing the need for solidarity and cooperation, Tinubu has underscored the importance of a collective response that transcends national boundaries and political differences. In the face of an evolving and complex security landscape, African nations must come together to confront terrorism head-on and safeguard the peace, security, and prosperity of the continent.
