By Sabiu Abdullahi
President Bola Tinubu has urged African leaders to establish a regional counter-terrorism centre to tackle the growing threat of terrorism on the continent.
Speaking at the African High-level Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu noted the need for a comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, addressing not only military might but also the root causes of poverty, inequality, and social injustice.
“The international community has both the moral and legal obligation to help in this cause because it is external finance, not African money, that fuels these illegal operations. We shall be knocking on the door of the international community to answer this call for justice, peace, and fair play,” Tinubu said.
The President stressed the importance of cutting off financial lifelines that fuel terrorist activities, such as ransom payments and illegal mining operations.
He noted that billions of dollars that should be used to provide education, healthcare, and food for citizens are instead spent on weapons and responding to mayhem.
Tinubu called for the urgent establishment of a fully operational Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre, while also strengthening existing counter-terrorism structures.
He expressed the need for a regional standby force with a mandate to tackle terrorism, despite funding, legal, and logistical complexities.
Stating Nigeria’s efforts, Tinubu stated that the country has taken bold steps forward in safeguarding the nation and the wider region.
He commended the courage and dedication of Nigeria’s security forces in the fight against terrorism and stated the need to halt the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons on the continent.
The Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre would serve as a hub for intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and capacity building throughout Africa, aiming to combat terrorism and address its root causes.