The UN warns that terrorist groups "exploit power vacuums" especially in Africa

MADRID, 9 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has assured that terrorist groups "exploit power vacuums" and that although the number of deaths from terrorism has decreased, the general threat is far from disappearing, especially in Africa.

"Groups like Al Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or DAESH and their affiliates continue to grow in the Sahel and make inroads into Central and Southern Africa. They take advantage of power vacuums, of long-standing inter-ethnic struggles duration, the internal weaknesses and the fragility of the States", said Guterres.

The UN Secretary General has also shown his concern that 48 percent of the deaths attributed to terrorist groups around the world occurred in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021.

He also stressed that in countries affected by conflicts, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and Somalia, terrorism has intensified cycles of violence, fueling greater instability, undermining peace efforts and delaying development goals.

The UN secretary general has also stressed that in mostly peaceful African countries, such as Mozambique and Tanzania, terrorists are now trying to exploit and manipulate society's grievances and mistrust of governments.

Guterres has been convinced that progress is possible, building on his visit to Borno state in northern Nigeria last month. The region, once a stronghold of the Boko Haram extremist group, is now on the road to reconciliation and reintegration.

"I was very impressed by the meetings I had with former fighters in one of the centers, the meetings I had with the victims and this feeling that Boko Haram, which was born in Borno state, is now clearly losing ground because people have assumed largely, by itself, the ability to undermine the terrorist work and actions of Boko Haram," he stressed.

Guterres explained that the UN's counter-terrorism strategy takes an integrated and holistic approach to the issue, which requires investing in health, education, protection, gender equality and justice systems accessible to all.

"It means creating truly democratic systems and processes, so that every person can have a voice in the future of their communities and countries, and trust that their voices will be heard and reflected," he said, adding: "It means putting Human Rights and the rule of law as the basis of our work".

Guterres has stated that the United Nations Anti-Terrorism Pact will continue to support countries in their efforts to fight terrorism, among other things, through technical assistance, capacity building and helping to create institutions that focus in people and are based on Human Rights and the Rule of Law.