Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf emphasized the necessity of adopting a fresh strategy to combat terrorism based on two primary pillars: development and security.
Speaking at a ministerial meeting of the African Union (AU) in New York, Attaf reiterated Algeria’s call for an international conference focused on development in the Sahel region.
Additionally, he underscored the need for a revamped model for peacekeeping operations, better equipped to confront the challenges posed by the menace of terrorism.
This ministerial discussion, dedicated to the rising terrorist threats facing African nations and populations, comes as a precursor to a special African summit on the topic scheduled for early next year in Nigeria.
Attaf lauded the pivotal role Algeria plays on the African stage, particularly given Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s responsibility as the coordinator of continental efforts against terrorism, violent extremism, and their prevention.
The minister asserted that terrorism now constitutes the primary and foremost threat to peace and security on the continent, especially in the Sahel region, which witnessed the highest number of victims last year and has emerged as a global terrorism hub.
Detailing the current situation, Attaf briefed his African counterparts on the escalating tensions in the region, marked by the expansion and intensification of what he termed “terrorist armies.” These groups, armed with advanced weaponry, control vast geographical territories.
Addressing this dire scenario, the Algerian diplomatic chief stressed the imperative of prioritizing the fragile conditions in the region.
The Sahel encompasses some of the world’s poorest nations and is also home to a significant number of crisis hotspots, tensions, and conflicts.
Furthermore, there has been a resurgence of unconstitutional governmental changes that have amplified the challenges faced by the region’s nations and peoples.
