Nigeria tasks AU to act on illicit funds linked to terrorism

Nigeria tasks AU to act on illicit funds linked to terrorism

Nigeria has tasked African nations to move decisively against illicit funds which it says are linked to the rising wave of terrorism and violent extremism in the West African sub-region.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, stated this at the 1354th Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held virtually.

At the meeting, she reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness for partnerships in countering terrorism.

The Minister pointed out that access to illicit funds enables terrorist groups to recruit youths and procure lethal weapons, adding that the groups are also deploying drones and other digital technologies.

She condemned all acts of terrorism and violent extremism and commended the sacrifices of Nigeria’s armed forces.

Bianca Ojukwu noted that Nigeria has adopted a comprehensive approach combining military operations with deradicalization, rehabilitation, youth empowerment and community resilience.

She called for urgent implementation of commitments made at the 2022 Malabo Summit and the 2024 Abuja Counter-Terrorism Meeting.

The Minister also urged international partners to show zero tolerance for terrorism by preventing the sale of arms, drones and dual-use goods to non-state actors.

The meeting was chaired by Uganda’s Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Haruna Kasolo.