Director-General/Executive Director
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to join you to discuss our collective efforts to prevent terrorism and violent extremism on the African continent.
I am grateful to our co-organizers, the African Centre for the Study of Terrorism, the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, as well as Women in International Security – Horn of Africa, for bringing us together to reflect on our experiences.
As we gather here today, Africa continues to grapple with the threat of terrorism, which poses a significant threat to regional stability, peace, and development.
According to the latest assessment of the Global Terrorism Index, sub-Saharan Africa is now the epicentre of terrorism, accounting for more terrorism-related deaths in 2022 than South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa combined.
Terrorist groups are capitalizing on weak governance structures, fragile borders, and social inequalities to perpetuate their senseless violence across countries, from the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, and across virtually every part of the African continent.
They take advantage of organized crime networks and illicit trafficking to procure weapons and finance their operations, exacerbating the threats facing African nations.
Affiliates of the so-called “Islamic State” group are also increasingly expanding their influence throughout the continent and across borders.
These groups feed on existing conflicts, exploiting vulnerable communities, the effects of climate change, and local grievances to recruit new fighters and further establish their foothold.
Africa’s youth, which account for 60% of the continent’s population, are especially targeted by extremist groups who exploit their marginalization, frustrations, and limited social and economic opportunities with promises of money, security, and purpose.
To effectively address these challenges, we must stand together, mobilize our resources, and strengthen the capacities of African States.
Through our Strategic Vision for Africa 2030 and our Global Programme on Preventing and Countering Terrorism, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime is working on the frontlines, together with our partners, to strengthen African States’ responses to terrorism and violent extremism.
We are supporting countries in developing their legal frameworks, ensuring they are aligned with human rights principles and the international counter-terrorism instruments.
And we are providing technical assistance to law enforcement, the judiciary, and border control agencies to enhance cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing to bring terrorists to justice.
Over the past two years, this work has benefitted over 7,500 criminal justice officials, prosecutors, judges, military personnel, and law enforcement officers across the continent.
In Mozambique, for example, we have equipped more than 600 investigators, first responders, intelligence officials and court officials to help build an effective criminal justice workforce with expertise on terrorism issues.
In Nigeria, we have delivered more than 400 capacity-building activities, training over 8,900 criminal justice officials since 2015 to help process terrorism cases in court and hold perpetrators accountable.
In the Sahel, we are leveraging one of the continent’s most valuable assets – its youth – to empower new change-makers in our counter-terrorism responses.
We have recruited dozens of young UN volunteers and specialists to provide legal assistance to over 1,000 detainees in the region, to support a more accountable and efficient review of court cases, and ensure criminal proceedings are in line with international human rights standards.
We are maximizing the potential of our regional partnerships, including in the Sahel, to address the nexus between terrorism and organized crime, enable the use of digital evidence, and strengthen judicial cooperation.
UNODC has also joined forces with the South African Development Community, providing legislative advice as well as specialized training and equipment for counter-terrorism and criminal justice officials.
At the local level, we are empowering communities and civil society organizations to counter the narratives that terrorist groups use to radicalize individuals and spread violence.
Because tackling violent extremism starts with prevention by reaching out directly to communities.
In Mauritania, we have established a network of women religious guides, called “Mourchidates”, to promote tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and resilience against violence and extremism.
They work in mosques, Quranic schools, prisons, high schools, and homes, to promote alternative, more moderate narratives that counter the ones propagated by terrorist groups, and to provide guidance to women and young people who are at risk of violence and exploitation or who may be lured into joining terrorist groups.
We are extremely proud of this network, which has helped more than 10,000 people build resilience against terrorism and violent extremism in their communities, and which contributes to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda on the continent.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Enhancing the capacities of African States to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism is a long-term commitment.
It requires sustained political will, resources, and a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of these challenges.
UNODC remains fully committed to supporting African nations in these efforts.
By investing in the security, stability, and development of the continent, we contribute to a safer and more prosperous world for all.
Thank you.