Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1219th meeting held on 28 June 2024 on the Declaration of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting on the Theme: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa, held from 22 to 23 April 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on prevention and combating of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa; also recalling the Decision and Declaration of the 16th Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa on 28 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea;

Taking note of the presentation by H.E. Ambassador Nasir Aminu, Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the African Union on the Declaration of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting on the Theme: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa, held from 22 to 23 April 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria;

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Welcomes the successful convening of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting on the theme: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa, held from 22 to 23 April 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria, that brought together multi-stakeholders, including AU Member States, relevant AU Organs and Institutions, Regional Economic Communities, and the representatives of the United Nations and its agencies, the Civil Society Organizations, the Academia, youth and women groups, as well as development partners to re-affirm zero tolerance for terrorism, brainstorm on the critical gaps in counter-terrorism capabilities of most African countries, and proffer solutions to the root causes of terrorist activities on the Continent;

2. Commends the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its efforts in hosting the High-Level Counter-Terrorism Meeting;

3. Acknowledges that the High-Level Counter-Terrorism Meeting provided an opportunity for Member States and partners to share best practices and lessons learnt in addressing terrorism in Africa; developing an African-led and African-owned approach to countering terrorism on the continent; strengthening synergies in regional and sub-regional endeavours for addressing the scourge of terrorism on the Continent; and building the capacities of AU Member States affected by terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism;

4. Underscores the need to ensure that all existing counter-terrorism toolkits are fully utilized and calls for collective and multi-dimensional approaches oriented towards the promotion of sustainable development to address the root causes of terrorism and violent extremism on the Continent;

5. Once again, reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of all manifestations of terrorism and violent extremism on the Continent and expressly reaffirms AU’s commitment to strengthening the security of African States in line with the Common African Defense and Security Policy and within the spirit of finding African solutions to Africa’s security challenges;

6. Emphasizes the need for unity and cooperation in counter-terrorism on the Continent and underscores the imperative for African Member States to prioritize countering terrorism within their respective territories;

7. Endorses the Declaration of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting on the Theme: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa, held from 22 to 23 April 2024, in Abuja, and welcomes the decision to upgrade the Nigerian National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja to a Regional Counter–Terrorism Centre, and in this regard, resolves to transmit the declaration to the United Nations Security Council; and

8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS