EU Briefing – UN Security Council: Counter-terrorism in Africa – An Imperative for Peace, Security and Development

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, Members of the Security Council, distinguished colleagues,

Let me first express our appreciation to Ghana for convening this debate today, and for the opportunity to participate in this important discussion. This is a topic of great importance to the European Union.

The EU is a strong believer in the link between security and development. We believe that holistic approaches to security and to building peace ensure their sustainability. The EU applies this reasoning in our developmental programmes, counterterrorism strategies, and our Common Security and Defence Policy, in Africa – and in many other countries beyond.

Multilateralism is key to the promotion of peace and security and the UN is at its core. We therefore greatly value the strategic partnership we have with the UN on peace operations and crisis management. The EU-UN Global Terrorist Threat Facility is a good example of this. Our partnership has created important synergies between the UN and EU missions on the ground. We will continue to work together, including on supporting regional counterterrorism efforts.

Other multilateral efforts too, have important roles in supporting and complementing the UN. The Global Counter Terrorism Forum – the GCTF – is one key platform. Last September, the EU assumed the role of co-chair of the GCTF and we made the threat of terrorism in Africa as a key priority for our two-year tenure.

What does this multilateral engagement mean on the ground? The EU CT-efforts build on our strong presence in Africa. Several EU missions currently provide military and civilian support to African countries, the latest example being the EU Training Mission in Mozambique. This mission deployed last year to train and support the Mozambican Armed Forces, with a view to protecting civilians and restoring security in Cabo Delgado. Five of our civilian missions include a counterterrorism mandate: the capacity building missions in Niger, Mali and Somalia, the border assistance mission in Libya and the security sector reform assistance mission in the Central African Republic. Moreover, the EU continues to support African-led peace operations. Earlier this year, the EU approved 600 million EUR in assistance to the African Union through the European Peace Facility, our financial instrument aimed at preventing conflicts, building peace and strengthening international security.

Yet despite our collective efforts to keep the threat of extremist groups at bay, we have all come to realise that this has not been enough. We find ourselves on the back foot in too many places, and we will need to do more if we are to be successful in the long haul. We will also need to cooperate better. The EU plays a role in this by bringing EU Members States together. Many EU Member States have long and multifaceted relationships with the African continent and the EU has a strong commitment to work with African nations, the African Union, and with the UN, to address the growing threat of terrorism and to bolster resilience to violent extremist ideologies.

Resilience to violent extremism and terrorism is a security matter, but it is equally a political matter. We cannot root out violent extremism by force alone. So let’s talk about prevention as well. The EU’s efforts in preventing and countering violent extremism, whether through addressing youth extremism in Kenya, or intercommunal conflict in Nigeria, have shown real results and will remain key to our CT-engagement. At present, the EU provides around 500 million EUR in support to related projects across the African continent, which strengthen local authorities, local communities and civil society actors alike.

Prevention of violent extremism and building resilience requires a whole-of-society approach. And good governance is crucial if we want to truly address the ideologies and driving forces behind emergent violent extremism. That means respect for the rule of law, human rights and the principles of democracy and international law. This political question is primarily the responsibility of national leaders. But it will require the continued attention and, at times, action of the Security Council as well.

Let me also make the case here for actively including women and girls in our prevention approach. Often, women and girls are victims of oppressive terrorist groups, for example in Nigeria or Niger at the hands of Boko Haram. They also have a positive role to play, like the female-led start-ups in Tunisia that provide jobs in their community. Recognising this and empowering them to be active members of society – economically, politically, and culturally – will make them, and their societies, more resistant to extremist influences in the long run.

In closing, Mr. President: West Africa requires our immediate attention to stem the risks of spill over from advancing terrorist actors. The EU is stepping up its security support to the Gulf of Guinee coastal countries, through the “Arc of Stability” policy. Allow me also here to commend Ghana for organising the next conference on the Accra Initiative next week, and for Ghana’s leadership in the region.

In the longer term, we not only need to further our shared security agenda, but also to foster sustainable development and improved governance. The economic and social challenges to the governments in West Africa and the Sahel are manifold and will only be compounded by the impact that climate change will inevitably have in the region. Addressing that will remain a long-term shared responsibility of African nations, the EU, the UN and other partners. You can count on the EU to remain committed, engaged and present on the ground.

Thank you.