21 January 2025
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening us on this important topic.
I also thank briefers for their insightful briefings.
Terrorism remains a threat not only to international peace and security but also to social and economic development in Africa. We need to break this vicious cycle between underdevelopment and instability.
We also have to be aware that terrorism in Africa has negative impact on a global scale. Not only locals but also non-residence, including those engaged in international businesses have been among the victims of terrorist attacks in Africa. As the former Chair of the Libya and Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committees, I saw firsthand how repeatedly these Committees were briefed about networks of trafficking in persons and illicit flows of arms and ammunition across the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Violent extremism can instantly be spread worldwide through the Internet.
The increasing prevalence of young people accessing online material and propaganda intensifies the threat of youth radicalisation.
Bearing all of this in mind, Japan attaches great importance to contributing to countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism in Africa through enhancing development.
Regarding concrete steps, I would like to mention four points.
First, we need to address the root causes of terrorism in Africa through a holistic approach ensuring the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus. It is also important that this approach is equipped with prevention and early warning lenses.
Second, we must expand counterterrorism measures into new domains including cyberspace. Japan, together with UNOCT, UNICRI and Morocco, co-hosted an expert briefing last month on online gaming and violent extremism to identify how terrorists lure innocent young gamers into their ideologies.
At this event, UNOCT and UNICRI announced the launch of a joint study on the intersection of gaming and violent extremism in Africa, with a report scheduled to be issued in the first half of this year.
Third, we must continue to focus on both people and institutions.
The Open Debate under Japan’s presidency of this Council last March highlighted the empowerment of all individuals, including women and youth, to prevent conflict and achieve sustainable peace. Building institutions that can implement the rule of law against terrorism and organised crime is also important.
In this light, Japan has been contributing to capacity building of justice and law enforcement authorities in Africa through UNODC, including in Algeria.
Lastly, African ownership of counterterrorism efforts should be further promoted through international partnerships, including UN-AU collaboration and regional, sub-regional and bilateral cooperation such as the Nouakchott Process and the Accra Initiative. In this regard, Japan has contributed more than 21 million USD to the AU Peace Fund over the past nearly 30 years.
Japan is hosting the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) this August. As a longstanding partner of Africa, Japan is strongly committed to further advancing effective and innovative solutions countering terrorism in Africa hand-in-hand with African countries and organisations as well as the United Nations.
I thank you.