The Link Between Illegal Mining and Terrorism Funding in Africa According to President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu recently addressed the concerning link between illicit mining and the funding of terrorist activities in Africa. He called on global leaders to take action to disrupt the flow of funds from outside the continent that support these illegal activities.
Speaking at a high-level counter-terrorism summit in Abuja, Nigeria, Tinubu emphasized the significant role that illegal mining plays in financing terrorism. He emphasized the moral and legal obligation of the international community to address this issue, noting that the funds enabling these illicit activities originate from outside Africa.
Tinubu painted a distressing picture of the situation, highlighting how the proceeds from illegal mining across Africa are being used to finance the nefarious agendas of terrorist groups. He lamented that the billions of dollars generated from these operations could have been used for public welfare but are instead being diverted to purchase weapons and carry out violent acts.
The Nigerian leader underscored the urgent need for international cooperation and strengthened regional mechanisms to address this challenge. He called on the international community to support efforts to curb the flow of funds from outside Africa that sustain illegal mining enterprises.
Tinubu also issued a passionate call for regional cooperation and decisive action to combat the evolving threat of terrorism across Africa. He urged fellow African leaders to unite against terrorism and emphasized the devastating impact it has on societies and development.
The President stressed the importance of establishing a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building. He also called for the strengthening of existing structures like the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit in Abuja, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers, and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa in Addis Ababa.
Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities through legislation and the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre. He commended the bravery and dedication of Nigerian security forces engaged in the fight against terrorism.
The summit also addressed the need to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, with Tinubu emphasizing the importance of regional efforts to strengthen arms control measures, enhance border security, and disrupt illicit trafficking networks fueling terrorism and organized crime.
As the host nation, Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding not only its own security but also that of the wider region. Tinubu urged his counterparts to seize the opportunity presented by the summit to work towards tangible results in the fight against terrorism.
The two-day summit in Abuja brought together leaders from across the continent to forge a united front against the rising threat of terrorism in Africa. Key priorities included establishing a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, bolstering intelligence sharing, and addressing the root causes of extremism, such as poverty and marginalization.
