African leaders gathered last April 22 and 23 in Audja, Nigeria, to address the escalating challenges posed by terrorism across the continent, spotlighting the Sahel and Somalia as epicenters of violence.
The event themed “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism in Africa†served as a platform to assess current hurdles and explore innovative mechanisms to combat the scourge. Discussions included proposals for establishing a standby military force and enhancing peacekeeping efforts.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu emphasized the urgency of curbing the proliferation of small arms and advocated for a regional counterterrorism center. This proposed hub would facilitate information sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building across Africa. Echoing these sentiments, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé underscored the necessity of bolstering inter-state cooperation, stressing the importance of synergy among defense and security forces, along with the effective deployment of institutions. The summit convened at a time when Africa has emerged as the "global epicenter of terrorism," as noted by the United Nations. Affiliated groups, such as those linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda, continue to carry out terrorist attacks in the Sahel, Somalia, and Mozambique, targeting civilians and military personnel alike.
In 2022, terrorist violence in the Sahel and Somalia accounted for 77% of reported violent events across Africa, according to the African Center for Strategic Studies. In response to this escalating threat, various agreements and operations have been initiated to combat terrorism on the continent. Last September, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) signed a protocol aimed at strengthening the community's efforts against terrorism and violent extremism over the next five years.