Egypt- African Peace and Security Council condemns transfers of foreign fighters to continent

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The African Peace and Security Council, chaired by Egypt's Ambassador to Addis Ababa and its permanent representative to the African Union (AU) Osama Abdel Khalek, adopted a resolution unanimously condemning the transfer of foreign terrorist fighters to Africa. The Council also said that decisive measures should be taken against countries that support terrorism and are involved in the transfer of foreign terrorist fighters to Africa, motivated by ideology and financial gains.

Abdel Khalek said that the decision was adopted at a council session to discuss the serious security implications associated with the increased inflows of foreign terrorist fighters to Africa. The Council members unanimously agreed that this phenomenon contributes to the increase in the pace of armed conflicts in Africa. At the same time, he condemned those countries that have been involved in operations to transport foreign terrorist fighters from conflict zones outside of the continent via known routes.

Abdel Khalek confirmed that the Council issued the strong decision as a clear message to the countries involved in the recruitment and transfer of foreign terrorist fighters from some conflict areas such as Syria, and their deployment in Libya. The transfers represent a crude violation of international peace and security, with these practices having negative repercussions on Africa's peace and security.

The Council added that combating terrorism and extremism including confronting the issue of foreign fighters is a top priority for Africa. Countries across the continent need to build national institutions capable of dealing with the phenomenon which requires the solidarity of all member states and the strengthening of cooperation between them.

This is particularly relating to issues of capacity building and intelligence cooperation. Abdel Khalek has been keen to review the bilateral support that Egypt provides to its African brothers in this regard as well as in the field of building national capabilities.