New York: Pakistan stands ready to share its counter-terrorism expertise with African partners and assist in establishing institutional structures and capacity building for sustainable peace. This was stated by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, while speaking at the United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on ‘Counter Terrorism in Africa.’
According to Radio Pakistan, Ambassador Munir Akram highlighted that the global terrorism landscape has evolved dramatically, with the epicenter of terrorism shifting from the Middle East to the Central Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. He pointed out that terrorist groups are increasingly operating with impunity in ungoverned spaces, such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, Cabo Delgado, with Burkina Faso and Mali among the three most affected countries.
Ambassador Akram noted that while Daesh has been decimated in Syria and Iraq, its franchises have emerged in Afghanistan and the Sahel. He emphasized Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to countering terrorism, mentioning that the country has been at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism for the past four decades.
Furthermore, he urged a review of UN sanction regimes to ensure they address the challenges faced by African nations without hindering development. The Pakistan UN envoy also stressed the importance of countering the terrorist use of cyber tools, such as the dark web and cryptocurrencies, for recruitment and financing.
Ambassador Akram reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Africa’s stabilization efforts, underscoring the nation’s readiness to collaborate with African partners in counter-terrorism initiatives.