Bendjama stresses the importance of regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Africa

The Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Amar Bendjama, stressed on Friday the crucial importance of regional cooperation and institution building to face the growing threat of terrorism on the African continent.

Ambassador Bendjama was chairing a meeting of the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee where regional counterterrorism efforts in Africa, in particular the recent high-level meeting held in Abuja from 22 to 24 April 2024, were highlighted.

"Nigeria's initiative, embodied in the Abuja Declaration, deserves our highest praise," Ambassador Bendjama said in his remarks. "It offers a valuable frame of reference that would guide our future actions," he continued.

The Ambassador also suggested exploring the development of concrete monitoring mechanisms and robust funding strategies to bring the  ambitions set out in the Abuja Declaration.

He expressed the hope that a summit of African heads of state on this issue would take shape in the near future, stressing that such an event would "strengthen our collective commitment at the highest level and send a strong message of our united determination".

Recalling Algeria's efforts in the fight against terrorism, which have been sanctioned by the annihilation of this scourge in its territory, the Ambassador reaffirmed Algeria's unwavering commitment to regional cooperation against terrorism, stressing the importance of an open and constructive dialogue between all partners.