How IGAD member states are 'promoting terror, extremism'

MOMBASA - Several governments in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region have been accused of inadvertently promoting violent extremism and terrorism.

Somalia and Sudan are among the bloc's member states accused of bearing down on publications that expose corruption and crime perpetuated by state officials.

Sometimes, this goes beyond threats and intimidation to imprisonment and sometimes murder of those who expose ills perpetrated by state operatives.

A journalist, who prefers anonymity claims that during the war in the restive Oromia region, the Ethiopian government reported that the rebels had massacred over 130 youths.

Participants were trained on best practices for reporting terrorism and violent extremism while upholding ethical standards. (IGAD Photos)

However, when this journalist visited the region where the government had claimed it had found a mass grave, residents of the area denied such a massacre ever being recorded in recent memory.

Oromia, Ethiopia's most populous region, has since 2018 been in the grip of an insurrection by the OLA, while peace talks have failed to yield meaningful progress.

The OLA is accused by the government of orchestrating massacres, which the rebels deny.

The region is racked by numerous conflicts including political schisms, land disputes and ethnic strife.

These actions by governments, according to IGAD, have stifled media houses from doing their civic duty. Governments are also being accused of withholding information from the media under frivolous excuses, something with perpetuates misinformation and disinformation: Fertile ground for terror indoctrination. 

"Reporting on violent extremism is no child's play because govt agencies and extremists can come for you," University of Nairobi lecturer Dr James Oranga said, urging journalists to remain steadfast in their reporting.

These sentiments were highlighted by journalists from IGAD member states during the Regional Media Forum on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort, Convention Centre & Spa in Mombasa, Kenya, on December 17, 2024.

Themed: Strengthening the Capacity of Media in P/CVE: Best Practices and Lessons Learned, the forum emphasised the role of governments and mainstream media in countering violent extremism.

Journalists at the forum funded by the Norwegian government voiced concerns over limited access to reliable information, especially from conflict zones. They pointed to government censorship and the manipulation of facts as significant barriers to accurate reporting.

These issues, they argued, hinder efforts to present balanced narratives and counter extremist ideologies effectively.

Established in 1986 as the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development (IGADD), the organisation initially focused on drought control and development initiatives.

In 1996, its mandate was expanded, and it was rebranded as IGAD, with an increased emphasis on peacebuilding, economic integration, social and regional development. 

 IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) director Dr Simon Nyambura rebuked leaders who travel to developed countries and 'get exposed but when they return to our countries, they continue with their bad manners'. Let your exposure change the way you do things as a leader in your country.

"When you have poor governance and you don't speak out, you are creating fertile ground for violent extremists," Nyambura said, urging the public to "stand up when we see evil and injustice. Let's come out and be strong in resisting evil".

IGAD executive secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu (C) during the media forum at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort in Mombasa on December 17, 2024. (Credit: IGAD)

Terror deaths

The threat posed by terrorism remains a global concern as indicated by the Global Terrorism Index 2024, which says deaths from terrorism surged by 22% in 2023, reaching their highest levels since 2017.

The IGAD's Statistics, Facts, and Figures 2023 report indicates a slight improvement in regional security, but the situation is far from resolved. Somalia and Kenya, in particular, continue to bear the brunt of attacks, highlighting the persistent risks.

Nyambura warned against complacency, stressing that terrorist activity in the region remains a potent danger: "Somalia has seen devastating attacks, and countries like Kenya, Uganda, and others are not immune. A multi-stakeholder approach is crucial to countering this menace effectively".

He urged the governments to build the capabilities necessary to prevent, degrade, detect and respond to terrorist threats. 

He also urged people at all levels to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. 

IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE) director Dr Simon Nyambura remarks. (Credit: IGAD)

Building resilience

The Mombasa forum, funded by the Norwegian government, brought together media practitioners from across IGAD member states, including Uganda, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia.

Participants were trained on best practices for reporting terrorism and violent extremism while upholding ethical standards.

The region still grapples with the challenges of security threats, disinformation and misinformation, sometimes perpetuated by state operatives and social media influencers, which is why media houses are being asked to build robust networks to champion counter-extremism narratives. 

This collaboration, coupled with community engagement, according to IGAD, will help disrupt the cycles of fear and propaganda that extremists rely on.