CTED discusses ISIL trends and developments in Africa with civil society

AKHVEDELID — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 20:42:00 +0000

flyer_copy.jpg

Within the framework of its mandate to identify emerging terrorism issues, trends and developments, CTED held two virtual round tables with civil society on the trends and trajectory of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Daesh, and affiliated groups across Africa.

The virtual round tables, held from 28 to 29 October and 17 to 18 November 2021, sought to encourage the sharing of on-the-ground insights into recent developments ahead of the planned joint open briefing of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee on ISIL in Africa.

The round tables - which featured more than 50 participants from 15 Member States - focused on the evolving terrorist threat in Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and North Africa.

Researchers traced the evolution of terrorist groups associated with ISIL, including the increase in violent attacks, and the growing cross-regional terrorist activity in those subregions.

The recent surrenders of individuals believed to be associated with terrorist groups in the Lake Chad Basin region, as well as changes in ISIL-affiliated groups’ tactics and targets (including the targeting of children and youth and the effects of terrorist groups’ affiliation with ISIL on their modus operandi) were all identified as key trends.

The discussions also focused on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on terrorism and counter-terrorism, including shifts in terrorist narratives towards messages targeting potential recruits forced to spend time at home during the lockdown and hailing the return of the Taliban in Afghanistan as a reason to support terrorism.

Participants noted that, despite government action in many of the subregions under discussion, terrorism and violent extremism remained a serious threat to security. Responses to the terrorism threat remained over-securitized, and human rights violations continued to occur in some States despite research showing that repression had been counter-productive in addressing terrorism.

Concerns were also raised at minimal civil society involvement and insufficient humanitarian-related responses in African States faced with terrorism, the absence of psychological support for victims and persons associated with terrorism, and Governments’ capacity-related shortcomings in dealing with returning foreign terrorist fighters and their families.

Exchanges between participants and experts highlighted the need for better research on the nuanced nature of terrorist trends and developments in under-studied communities and affirmed the need for comprehensive, whole-of-society approaches that were neither over-securitized nor under-securitized.

Participants also noted the need to strengthen the promotion of victims’ rights, including through appropriate legislative amendments and the creation of dedicated trust funds. They also called for greater integration of the gender dimension in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, especially through women’s empowerment in communities, and stressed the need to address sexual and gender-based violence crimes committed by terrorists.

The participants concluded by recommending the strengthening of civil-military relations and the bolstering of military capacity to enhance cooperation with the criminal justice system in the collection of battlefield evidence. They also called for strengthened compliance with human rights standards and underscored the need for timely and suitable measures to foster community resilience to the harmful effects of terrorism, including by developing meaningful skillsets and sharing the burden of impact.

Front Page Article:

Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - ISIL/Daesh

CTED discusses ISIL trends and developments in Africa with civil society

flyer_copy.jpg