Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Determined to Address Evolving Threat of Daesh in Africa
The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial Meeting, which took place in Marrakech on Wednesday, expressed alarm about the spread of separatist groups in Africa, while reaffirming their common desire to continue the battle against Daesh.
According to a joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting attended by representatives from 79 countries, the proliferation of non-state actors, including separatist movements, is causing destabilization and increasing the vulnerability of African states, favoring Daesh/ISIS and other terrorist and violent extremist organizations.
The Africa Focus Group will bolster the civilian-led counterterrorism capabilities of African members of the Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition under the auspices of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, they said, emphasizing the need for the Africa Focus Group to foster synergies with other existing international, sub-regional, and regional counterterrorism efforts and initiatives on the African continent.
The Ministers also emphasized that the coalition to defeat Daesh/ISIS will continue to be a civilian-led operation led by, with, and through our African countries, in accordance with national ownership principles and African member states’ specific needs.
They also mentioned the link between separatist and terrorist movements working together to exploit existing vulnerabilities and increase their destabilizing influence.
In this regard, the participants emphasized the importance of addressing the evolving threat of Daesh, particularly in Africa, by strengthening African members’ counter-terrorism capabilities and considering the challenges and threats posed by the proliferation of non-state actors, including separatist groups, as a destabilizing factor and vulnerability in the region.
They also emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity in Africa, while emphasizing that any long-term solution to halting the spread of Daesh/ISIS on the continent will rely primarily on national authorities, as well as sub-regional and regional efforts and initiatives that recognize and address the political and economic drivers of conflict.
The Ministers stressed the need of addressing the global Daesh/ISIS threat by coordinating actions in a holistic and comprehensive manner, which is a hallmark of the Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition. The Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition Working Groups have proposed activities like as communications, counter-ISIS finance, foreign terrorist fighters, and stabilization, according to the release.
They also hailed the inaugural gathering of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS in Africa.
The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial Meeting was hosted by Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Resident Abroad, and Mr. Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State.
The meeting marks a turning moment in worldwide commitment and coordination in the battle against “Daesh,” with a special focus on Africa and the increasing terrorist threat in the Middle East and other regions.