Nigeria Urges African Union to Combat Terror Funding

During the 1354th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held virtually, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, called for the African Union to intensify efforts against illicit financial flows that facilitate terrorism across the continent. She described these financial channels as major obstacles to defeating terrorism in Africa, enabling terrorist groups to recruit young people and acquire sophisticated weapons.

Ojukwu reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to regional and international partnerships aimed at combating violent extremism. She warned that terrorist groups are increasingly resilient, exploiting emerging technologies for their operations.

Ojukwu condemned acts of terror and expressed solidarity with victims across Africa, urging AU member states to implement commitments made during the 2022 Malabo Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism. She advocated for a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy that combines military operations with non-kinetic measures, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes and investing in education and community resilience.