Morocco presented the most recent report of the Focus Group on Africa on Thursday during the tenth meeting of the coalition in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, according to a joint statement by the Global Coalition Against ISIS.
Ismail Chekouri, the director of cross-cutting issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, warned of the growing threat posed by terrorist groups in Africa, with a particular emphasis on the Sahel region.
The African Focus Group’s action plan, which was approved at the Plenary Meeting of Senior Officials in March 2023, was evaluated by the coalition during the meeting.
The report gave coalition members an update on the progress the focus group had made in Africa by coordinating actions to counter the terrorist threat there.
Additionally, the director provided data on the dynamics and effects of terrorism on other security-related issues.
Partners in the coalition reaffirmed their support for counterterrorism initiatives in South and Central Asia, Africa, Iraq, and Syria, highlighting the coalition’s extensive reach and dedication to reducing the danger posed by ISIS.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 4,023 deaths, which accounts for 60% of all terrorism-related fatalities globally, according to Bourita.
“Africa is the only continent where three branches of ISIS and Al-Qaeda are active.” Said Bourita, who noted that 19 armed separatist groups are active in 22 African countries.
The meeting placed a focus on judicial reform, border and internal security, and information exchange between law enforcement and intelligence agencies on bilateral and multilateral platforms.
Morocco uses a multilateralist strategy to fight terrorism and works with other countries and partners to find solutions.
Morocco serves as co-chair of the African Focus Group of the Global Coalition against ISIS along with the United States, Niger, and Italy. 86 nations, as well as international and regional organizations, are currently a part of the coalition.
Bourita noted that terrorists are extending their operations from the Sahel region to west littoral Africa. “The nexus between separatist and terrorist groups continues to evolve in an alarming way, threatening national sovereignty of many countries”.
Terrorist organizations frequently attack citizens and military facilities, taking advantage of open borders and unfavorable local conditions.
Terrorist organizations exploit novel technologies, such as drones, virtual assets, and encrypted communication platforms, according to Bourita. “In 2022, the Sahel region accounted for more terrorism deaths than both South Asia and the MENA region combined”.
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