NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 1 – “The recent attack launched by Al Shabaab against the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, confirms that terrorism remains a major threat for many African countries, with an ever-increasing expansion of the terrorist threat due to a sophistication of means. This alarming developments demand a strong and united response of the international community and a comprehensive approach in order to tackle the root causes of terrorism”, Italy said during an Arria Formula meeting of the Security Council on the threats to international peace and security caused by transnational terrorist groups.
“There is a need for a broader strategy that adequately addresses the complex and transnational nature of terrorism”, said an Italian diplomat, stressing the “crucial role” that the Security Council should play, setting the priorities in fighting transnational terrorist groups and further strengthening the collaboration with regional and international organizations. The evolving capabilities of terrorist groups often leave countries affected and border countries unable to stem their attacks. Members of terrorist groups and transnational criminal organizations continue to exploit the weakness of border infrastructure. Banning terrorists, the transnational organized crime networks that enable them, and stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters, is a critical element of global counter-terrorism efforts. Data sharing is essential within the framework of biometric controls.
Along these agreed lines of action, Italy gives its contribution to several UN initiatives. It actively supports the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, while in 2022 contributed to the UN Counter-Terrorism Center to train border security experts in West Africa to prevent and detect the movement of terrorists. Italy also promotes several capacity building initiatives to the benefit of the African Union and African countries, among which training activities in favor of local judicial to improve their capabilities in the sector of “battlefield evidence”. Following an Italian proposal, the Africa Focus Group was launched last year within the Global coalition against-Daesh, and it is currently co-chaired by Italy, the US, Niger and Morocco.
At the same time, Italy contributes to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, also active in Somalia, to support programs led by local civil societies. It endorses the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission to Somalia/ATMIS, and the EU Missions in Somalia, with the aim of further bolstering Somali institutions. Finally, starting from September 20th, together with Nigeria, it will co-chair the criminal Justice – Rule of Law Working group within the Global Counter terrorism Forum. (@OnuItalia)
