President Akufo-Addo says the burden of confronting terrorism cannot be borne by those in the West African sub region alone.
According to him, the fight requires strong collaboration between the United Nations, the African Union and the regional economic communities, especially ECOWAS, to address the question of adequate, predictable and sustainable financing for regional-led operations.
He noted that the African Union has demonstrated its commitment and capacity to manage effectively such financing, and to comply with the required human rights standards in such operations indicating tgat the Council and the wider international community must play their part, if there is a desire to have a continuing relevance.
Speaking at a high-level debate of the Security Council on “Counter-Terrorism In Africa” president Nana Addo said terrorism has always posed a danger to international peace and security, and continues to threaten peaceful co-existence between and within nations.
“But, in our present circumstances, its form and manifestation, especially on the African continent, have claimed the lives of thousands and thousands of innocent people, rendered millions homeless, and handicapped many economies in their pursuit of growth and sustainable development”.
He explained that the Sahel with a population of some three hundred million (300 million) people, has accounted for the highest incidents of recorded terrorist attacks between January and June this year, which has resulted in some five thousand, four hundred and twelve (5,412) deaths across Africa.
He added: “Indeed, the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism tells us that, out of the six hundred and ninety-nine (699) attacks that have occurred this year, the Sahel accounted for one hundred and seventy-nine (179) of such attacks, with one thousand, nine hundred and nine (1,909) fatalities.”
Whilst we can admit that the political context for the Security Council’s involvement is complex and the operating environment dangerous, President Akufo-Addo stated that “our collective inaction, even as we contemplate whether and how to intervene, risks the further spread of instability across the continent of Africa. Already, some Sahelian and West African countries have been overrun by terrorists and other armed groups, who now feel motivated and emboldened to expand to their reach of influence to the coastal countries of West Africa, in a grand attempt to get access to the high seas, and create a vicious linkage between terrorism and piracy.”
He noted that the international community, particularly this Council, which has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, cannot, therefore, choose to be neutral in the design and implementation of specific responses required to confront the threat of international terrorism.
“We acknowledge that the fight against terrorism can be a protracted one that could take several years, but, with collective efforts, terrorism and those behind its evil acts can and will eventually be defeated.”
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that in reiterating Ghana’s strong rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, it is important to underscore that arresting the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and West Africa would require urgent actions predicated on concerted efforts, “if we are to succeed in our attempts to bring progress, prosperity and development to the peoples in the region” .
He said in addressing the threats relating to terrorism in Africa, it is important that we leverage the role of the African Union and its regional economic commissions in raising a robust and resourced force to confront the terrorists and other armed groups, alongside other peace operation initiatives.
“We welcome the ongoing joint strategic assessment of the security, governance and development issues of the Sahel, just as we encourage the high-level panel, led by the respected former President of the Republic of Niger, His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, to leverage the best elements of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, the Accra Initiative, the Nouakchott Process and the Multinational Joint Task Force, and consider recommendations for a unified and restructured regional force. We urge the Council to be supportive of such efforts.”