President Tebboune: Algeria continues its efforts to support neighboring countries in their war against terrorism – Al-Hiwar Al-Jazaeryia

The President of the Republic affirmed, on Tuesday, that Algeria continues “in the same spirit” its efforts to support its neighbors and the countries of the African continent in their war against terrorism and violent extremism, guided by its bitter and successful experience at the same time.

The President of the Republic, in his capacity as the African Union Coordinator on Combating and Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism, addressed a speech during the high-level debate of the United Nations Security Council on combating terrorism and preventing violent extremism leading to terrorism by strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and mechanisms, which was published as an official document in Security Council, for guidance during discussions.

After recalling Algeria’s ability in the nineties of the last century to “confront and defeat the evils of terrorism amid the almost total absence of the material and moral support expected from the international community,” the President of the Republic affirmed that “it continues today, in the same spirit, its efforts to support its brothers in its immediate neighborhood and at the continental level in their war against terrorism.” and violent extremism, guided by its bitter and successful experience at the same time.

In this context, the President of the Republic briefed the members of the Council on the initiative put forward by Algeria with the aim of adding a new dynamism to counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel-Sahara region, which was approved in October 2022 by the member states of the Joint Operational Staff Committee, which includes both From Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.

On the continental level, the President of the Republic pointed out that “by virtue of assuming the duties of the African Union Coordinator to prevent and confront this scourge, Algeria continues its efforts to contribute to strengthening joint African action in the field of combating terrorism and violent extremism.”

He enumerated Algeria’s contributions in this regard, through “developing a new action plan for the African Union in the field of combating terrorism, activating the African Fund for Combating Terrorism, drawing up an African list of persons, groups and entities involved in terrorist acts, including foreign terrorist fighters, and embodying the draft African arrest warrant.” .

Moreover, the President of the Republic says: “My country continues its support for African mechanisms and agencies specialized in this field, especially the African Center for Studies and Research on Terrorism and the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation,” explaining that they are “the two mechanisms that Algeria is honored to host their headquarters, as well as the Security and Intelligence Services Committee Africa, headquartered in Addis Ababa.

The President of the Republic noted the decline in the international community’s interest in the growing threats posed by the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism to African countries and peoples, “in a global context characterized by turmoil and polarization,” which requires reaffirming that “what Africa is facing is a global threat that does not recognize borders and is not linked to any religion, race or nationality.”

He added, “Just as it should not in any way be equated with the legitimate struggle of the peoples under occupation in order to regain their usurped rights, foremost of which is their inalienable or imprescriptible right to self-determination and independence as stipulated in the resolutions of international legitimacy.”

Africa faces a “threat that transcends borders and nations”

In his speech addressed to the participants in the meeting, the President of the Republic touched on the alarming development recorded by the terrorist threat in recent years on Africa, saying that “the African continent has become in the last decade more affected than any other region in the world by this scourge in light of the expansion and expansion of its geographical area to destinations.” We considered it safe from the evil of terrorism.”

He pointed out, on this occasion, that “the growing severity of this scourge in many African regions, especially in the Sahel and Sahara region, has become the most prominent threat to the security and stability of the continent, as well as undermining economic development efforts and the embodiment of the goals of Agenda 2063.”

The President of the Republic stressed that the great efforts made by African countries collectively to combat terrorism and violent extremism “still need the support and backing of the international community,” given that the African continent faces “a threat that transcends borders and countries.”

From this standpoint, the President of the Republic called on international partners to work bilaterally and collectively, within the framework of the United Nations, to support African efforts in the field of combating terrorism and violent extremism, especially by striving to achieve a number of goals, starting with “strengthening the capabilities of African countries, as well as preventing Using the lands of international partners as platforms to incite or support terrorist activities in other countries, while doubling efforts to avoid contributing directly or indirectly to the financing of terrorism.

He mentioned other goals represented in “supporting joint mechanisms and operations delegated by the African Union to combat terrorism, especially by adjudicating the issue of their financing by resorting to the United Nations budget, and working to crystallize a new generation of peacekeeping operations by virtue of the fact that the traditional model of these operations is no longer in line with reality and threats.” new issues, especially the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

He also touched on the goal of investing “more” in economic development in the African continent, “based on realistic experiences that prove day after day that sustainable stability cannot be achieved without sustainable development,” recalling in this regard his recent decision to “inject $1 billion into the budget.” The Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development, in order to contribute effectively to advancing development in the African continent.

The President of the Republic reaffirmed “Algeria’s permanent commitment to continue its efforts to embody the continental commitment entrusted to it in the field of combating terrorism and violent extremism,” expressing his aspiration to enhance the contribution in this field and in other fields, through Algeria’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council during the period 2024-2025. .