Coalition Against ISIS: Africa Focus Group Warns Against Impact of Separatist Groups

Rabat – The Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’ Africa Focus Group, co-chaired by Morocco, the United States, Italy, and Niger, has warned against the impact of non-state actors such as separatist groups on the efforts to counter terrorism in Africa.

In a statement released following the two-day meeting of the group in Niger’s capital Niamey, the group’s chairs and members “noted with concern the impact the proliferation of non-State actors is having on efforts to counter Daesh/ISIS in Africa.”

The destabilization caused by separatist groups in Africa creates an increased vulnerability that favors ISIS and other violent extremist organizations, the statement added.

The Africa Focus Group emphasized the need to address the threat of ISIS by strengthening Africa’s counter-terrorism capabilities and taking into account the challenges created by non-state actors, including separatist groups.

The group’s statement equally stressed the importance of building regional and sub-regional initiatives to combat threats, aiming to strengthen border security, collect biometric data, and address ISIS propaganda and recruitment.

The Africa Focus Group meeting in Niamey brought together the coalition’s 38 members and observers to discuss various initiatives against ISIS and identify gaps in their counter-terrorism approaches.

A large Moroccan delegation led by Director of Global Issues at the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Chekkori, participated in the event.

During the two-day meeting, Executive Secretary of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), Steven Hill, praised Morocco’s counter-terrorism efforts, saying the country has a “very clear” vision for the global fight against ISIS.

Hill described Morocco’s vision as one that is based on a comprehensive approach that includes all challenges related to terrorism.

“It is clear that terrorism represents a threat that cannot be fought by military means alone,” he added. “But there has to be a comprehensive vision to fulfill the needs of the states and citizens affected by terrorist threats.”