Terrorism threatening Africa’s resources

Nahla Abdelmonem

Money is essential for the spread of terrorism, especially in Africa. It is actually a machine for expansion.

Terrorist activities also target the resources of resource-rich African states.

The African continent faces the prospect of a high wave of terrorism that threatens its security at various levels.

The same wave threatens the economic resources of the continent which remain the prime target of terrorist organizations.

These organizations want to exploit these resources in bankrolling their activities which include attacks attack on military and civilian targets.

The same resources are also important for the terrorist organizations to acquire logistical and living support and move ahead with their recruitment operations, especially in poor areas in Africa.

UN warnings

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the advance of ISIS and al-Qaeda in Africa, and their reliance on social and political grievances to attract more people to them.

During the high-level conference of the heads of counter-terrorism agencies of member states recently, Secretary-General Guterres highlighted the need for supporting African countries to overcome the problem of the spread of terrorism.

This support, he said, is an international priority.

He said the two organizations have wreaked havoc on the region.

They continue to practice their suspicious activities through their ability to re-establish themselves and expand their presence, he said of the two terrorist organizations.

The UN secretary-general pointed out that the fight against terrorism in Africa, and in all affected parts of the world, is based on basic points, most notably the ability to build strong, fair and legally accountable government institutions.

These institutions help states develop their tools in the face of transnational terrorism, he said.