Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to tackle evolving terrorism threats in Africa, during the 14th Ministerial Plenary of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.
He emphasized that “African solutions to African problems” should not serve as an excuse for inaction.
Bourita stressed that Africa cannot afford to wait for bureaucratic structures to act on its behalf, advocating for a proactive and dynamic approach to counter-terrorism.
He called for support of national counter-terrorism structures and African plurilateral initiatives to enhance security across the continent.
Bourita acknowledged the GCTF’s pivotal role in anticipating emerging threats and crafting appropriate recommendations to address terrorism in Africa.
He underscored the significance of initiatives like the “Marrakech Platform for Heads of Security and Counterterrorism Agencies in Africa,” which aims to bolster regional collaboration.
The Minister also referenced the “Abuja Process” and the “Accra Initiative” as successful examples of coordinated efforts to combat terrorism.
Bourita pointed out that the Rabat-based UN Office of Counter-Terrorism is a model of effective cooperation that addresses regional needs.
He concluded by urging the GCTF to enhance its institutional capabilities to develop specialized, context-driven capacity-building programs.s
Morocco has demonstrated its commitment to counter-terrorism, having co-chaired the GCTF for three consecutive terms from 2015 to 2022.
The GCTF consists of 32 member countries and partners focused on strengthening international cooperation against violent extremism and terrorism.