Uganda advocates for stronger regional cooperation to combat terrorism in Africa
Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, on September 23, stressed that terrorism and violent extremism are transnational threats that demand collective action beyond national borders.
Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo delivers Uganda's Statement at African Union Peace and Security Council Meeting in New York.
DIPLOMACY
NEW YORK - At a pivotal meeting held this week in New York, Uganda called for enhanced regional collaboration, coordinated border governance, and sustainable support for African-led peace and security initiatives.
The event took place at the UN Observer Mission Offices on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, under the theme “Good Neighbourliness and Regional Responses to Security and Terrorism Challenges in Africa.”
Addressing terrorism and violent extremism across Africa, the meeting provided a platform for African Union Member States to discuss how stronger ties to enable them can help tackle emerging security threats.
Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, on September 23, stressed that terrorism and violent extremism are transnational threats that demand collective action beyond national borders.
“Terrorism and violent extremism do not respect borders. Terrorist groups exploit ungoverned spaces, local grievances, weak border controls, illicit financial flows, and transnational criminal networks
A media release from her office states that she emphasised the importance of good neighbourliness as a security imperative, rooted in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.
This, she said, will promote dialogue, confidence, early warning systems, and coordinated actions.
Otengo also urged for enhanced intelligence-sharing, joint threat assessments, and cooperation among security and law enforcement agencies. She also proposed adequate resourcing of the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre to strengthen coordination between national and regional centres, support intelligence fusion, and build institutional capacity.
She emphasised involving border communities in preventing insecurity and linking security with development.
This, she added, can be achieved by investing in public services, livelihoods, and legitimate cross-border trade to transform borderlands into corridors of peace and prosperity.
The team led by Otengo further called for the African Standby Force and its regional components to become fully operational. This should be done with timely deployment capabilities, sustainable logistics, and predictable financing, consistent with Member States' sovereignty and international law.
AU Delegations listen in on the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) Debate at the AU Observer Office in New York.
The media release adds that while addressing root causes, Uganda's team identified exclusion, youth unemployment, radicalisation, disinformation, arms trafficking, and terrorism financing as critical drivers of terrorism.
The delegation stressed the role of women, youth, traditional leaders, civil society, and the private sector as key partners in prevention and community resilience.
Uganda also advocated for stronger coordination between the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and Regional Mechanisms to clarify responsibilities and reduce duplication.
Ambassador Otengo highlighted the importance of sustainable financing for African-led peace and security initiatives, including the effective implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719, which supports financing African Union peace support operations and deepening UN-AU cooperation.
Uganda’s contribution to the Ministerial Meeting placed good neighbourliness, regional cooperation, effective continental institutions, and sustainable financing at the heart of Africa’s collective response to terrorism and violent extremism, while connecting security efforts with development, community resilience, and regional integration.