Decision on the Report on Combatting Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa – Doc. Assembly/AU/17(XXXII)

DECISION ON THE REPORT ON COMBATTING TERRORISM
AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN AFRICA

Doc. Assembly/AU/17(XXXII)

The Assembly,

1. WELCOMES H.E Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Report on the Issue of Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa;

2. EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN over the worsening scourge of terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, and the growing linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime, notably drug and human trafficking, money laundering, illicit trafficking in arms, and the threat this situation poses to the promotion and consolidation of peace and security on the Continent and the realization of the goal of Silencing the Guns by 2020 in Africa, in line with AU Agenda 2063;

3. REITERATES ITS STRONG CONDEMNATION of all acts of terrorism committed on the Continent by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes, and EXPRESSES FULL SOLIDARITY with the affected countries and the victims of terrorism;

4. REITERATES ITS DETERMINATION to rid Africa of the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, which cannot be justified under any circumstances, noting that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or group;

5. COMMENDS Member States for having developed and strengthened their legislative and operational capacities to combat the scourges of terrorism and violent extremism; and COMMENDS the AU institutions and mechanisms providing support to Member States in this respect, including the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), the AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA);

6. EMPHASIZES the need to address all conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism, including political exclusion, prolonged unresolved conflicts, deficits in the rule of law, violations of human rights, discrimination, socio-economic marginalization and poor governance, and STRESSES, however, that none of these conditions can excuse or justify acts of terrorism. In this respect, the Assembly REAFFIRMS THE URGENT NEED to fully implement all aspects outlined in the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa;

7. COMMENDS the work of H.E Abdelaziz Bouteflika and EXPRESSES SUPPORT to the Memorandum on the Pillars for joint AU action against the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism, presented by himself, as the Champion on this issue, to inform and guide the updating of the AU Plan of Action on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, adopted by Decision EX.CL/Dec.13(ll) of the 2^nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, held in March 2003, in N’Djamena;

8. REQUESTS THE COMMISSION to continue supporting H.E Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in his capacity as the Champion on the Issue of Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa, including by facilitating consultations among Member States, with a view to updating the AU Plan of Action and submit it for validation by an AU Ministerial Conference before submission for consideration by the Assembly in January 2020;

9. REITERATES ITS APPEAL to all Member States to volunteer resources to the AU Special Fund for Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa, in line with Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.614 (XXVII), adopted at the 27^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly, held in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2016.