President Bola Tinubu has drawn attention to the connection between illegal mining and the funding of terrorism, underscoring the necessity for international cooperation in addressing this issue. During his address at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja, Tinubu called upon the international community to aid in dismantling the financial network of terrorists, asserting that “it is external finance, not African money, that fuels these illegal operations.”
The meeting, which convened representatives from 32 African Member States, aimed to confront the increasing sophistication of terrorist networks across the continent. Tinubu proposed the establishment of a regional standby force and a counter-terrorism centre to combat the activities of terrorists in Africa’s troubled regions. The Nigerian President referred to ransom-taking and illegal mining as “evil branches” sustained by “root causes” such as poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
In order to bolster the fight against terrorism, Tinubu advocated for the strengthening of existing counter-terrorism structures and the formation of an all-inclusive African Union Ministerial Committee on Counter-Terrorism. He also announced Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its counter-terrorism capabilities through legislation and the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
The two-day meeting also saw the participation of heads of African regional organisations, international partners, United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, and civil society partners. In her remarks, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed, stressed the importance of rebuilding the social contract with citizens and delivering good governance to address the root causes of terrorism on the continent.
Ms. Mohammed underscored the need to focus on the impact of terrorism on women, girls, and the youth, emphasising the importance of providing support and healing for those affected by terrorism. The Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, commended Nigeria for its leadership in counter-terrorism and emphasised the importance of supporting Africa-led programmes and solutions.
The meeting represents a significant step in addressing the growing threat of terrorism in Africa and underscores the need for coordinated action to combat the financing of terrorist activities. With international collaboration and a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of terrorism, Africa can strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities and work towards a more secure and stable future.