In an effort to tackle the escalating threat of terrorism across the African continent, President Bola Tinubu is slated to inaugurate the African Counter-Terrorism Summit in Abuja on Monday, April 22.
Organized by Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), the high-level summit will convene from April 22 to April 23 under the theme, ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism.’
In a press release signed and made available to SMARTS NEWS by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said the primary goal of the summit is to bolster multilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts and redefine the global response to terrorism in Africa, with a particular emphasis on solutions driven by African nations themselves.
Key objectives include assessing the current landscape of terrorism on the continent, identifying strategic priorities, and implementing concrete measures to combat this complex challenge. Furthermore, the summit aims to foster deeper regional collaboration, enhance institutional capacities, and facilitate the exchange of best practices among member states.
The event is expected to draw the participation of heads of state, government officials, representatives from international organizations and multilateral institutions, diplomats, and civil society stakeholders from across Africa.
Notable figures scheduled to attend include Ms. Amina Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, and Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, the under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism at UNOCT, who will deliver the concluding remarks alongside Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
As Africa grapples with the persistent threat of terrorism, the summit stands as a pivotal platform for forging collaborative strategies and mobilizing concerted action to mitigate this pressing security challenge.