Africa in need of support to fight against terrorism

Author: 
By Salad F. Duhul, Special to Arab News
Publication Date: 
Wed, 2001-10-31 03:00

Because of Africa’s keen interest in the fight against terrorism, Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade recently spearheaded a campaign to combat global terrorism at a special conference in Dakar. In his opening speech to the meeting of African heads of state, he said Africa had become a haven for all kinds of criminals aiming to carry out terrorist activities and the continent should refuse to accept such groups on its territories. The African leaders have pledged to seek out, arrest, try or extradite any person or group of people implicated in the preparation, execution or support of terrorist action. They also agreed to create an African Anti-Terrorism Coordinator with representatives in each participating country.

Although Africa has a crucial role to play in the global fight against terrorism and has been a victim, rather than an exporter, of terror — in 1998 the bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam claimed over 200 African lives — some participants at the meeting had reservations about the best approach to the anti-terror campaign. They questioned whether funds could be raised for proposed bodies which include a general assembly, office and higher council. The reason for this skepticism is that Africa has not implemented its 1999 pact against terrorism, which has been signed by 36 of the continent’s 53 members. That pact has so far been ratified by only three member countries.

Carlos the Jackal, a Venezuelan who was the world’s most wanted man best known for masterminding the 1975 assault on the OPEC meeting in Vienna where 70 people were taken hostage, was harbored in Sudan. In 1994 he was extradited to France where he is now serving a life sentence. Bin Laden, the current most wanted man, was in Sudan before he moved to Afghanistan in 1996.

Political analysts say that the continent still serves as a staging ground for many terrorist organizations, be they political or religious. A US report on global terrorist networks noted that central and southern Somalia are home to Al-Itihad Al-Islamia, a movement like Al-Qaeda. The group has private channels which rely on banking networks for money transfers. It also allegedly has a close working relationship with Al-Qaeda.

Nigeria has a substantial Muslim population and is currently experiencing violence between Muslims and Christians. Religious violence has heightened in the country since many northern states imposed Shariah law last year. Although President Obasanjo has shown solidarity with America’s efforts to destroy the Al-Qaeda group, observers say there may be Bin Laden sympathizers in the country. It is possible that they were the ones who triggered the recent violence which may be related to what is happening in Afghanistan. The central government has limited control in the northern states where the violence occurred.

Some experts believe that the support for terrorism among extremist Muslim groups could grow in countries such as Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Kenya, Niger, Mali and South Africa. In these countries, there have been anti-American demonstrations since the strikes on Afghanistan. Commentators insist that these must be carefully monitored.

Ironically, the international community and the West seem to have not given Africa the support required to combat terrorism. Obviously, Africa needs to improve security surveillance and their controls on the transfer of money.

It is widely believed if the US and the international community work with African leaders to provide technical assistance, it would help in the fight against terrorism.

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