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Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita renewed global concerns on Sunday about the presence of separatist groups in Africa.
Bourita made his remarks during an address that was read during the opening of the 43rd autumn session of the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah and the 36th of the Al- Mouatamid Ibn Abbad Open University.
In his speech, the Moroccan FM recalled security challenges facing Africa, stressing that the presence of the separatist groups on the continent is a “direct factor in the outbreak of civil war, racial, and ethnic conflicts.”
The minister warned that Africa remains the continent that is the most affected by terror crises, saying that terrorist groups are expanding their geographical presence across the continent.
Bourita stressed that the Sahel is home to the world’s fastest-growing and “most-deadly terrorist groups,” warning that the region accounts for 35% of global terrorism deaths in 2021.
“Africa also faces the scourge of arms and drugs smuggling compounded by porous borders, weak, and fragile security systems,” the official added.
This is not the first time Morocco has expressed concerns about security issues in the region. The North African country has long called for shared responsibility in security matters and mobilization from all countries across the continent and international partners.
The Moroccan government called for urgent action against terrorism in the region, particularly in Sahel during the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
During the ministerial meeting held in Morocco in May, Morocco’s foreign minister warned that ISIS holds the “infamous record of becoming the world’s deadliest terrorist group in 2021,” recalling the group’s expansion on the continent.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 48% of global terrorism deaths and 3,461 casualties, Bourita said, noting that this number brought the death toll to 30,0000 people over the past 15 years.
During his recent address, Bourita reiterated the same concern about the lack of unified security structure stressing that it is necessary to establish “effective partnerships based on existing structures, in particular regional organizations.”
Morocco, according to Bourita, has confidence in regional organizations and supports all African Union steps to boost regional cooperation and partnership to tackle the scourge of terrorism.
