Kenya vows to lead regional counter-terrorism efforts

03 Septembre 2020

Nairobi, Kenya, September 3 (Infosplusgabon) – Kenya will continue to play a pivotal role in the global community's fight against terrorism, including leading the Eastern African region's counter-terrorism efforts, President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Wednesday.

President Kenyatta vowed to work alongside other regional governments and partners to leverage Kenya's membership of the UN Security Council to promote global peace.

"Kenya aims to provide leadership in the Horn of Africa by exploring and implementing diplomatic measures in counter-terrorism financing and to work with partners in the broader spectrum of efforts within counter-terrorism, as well as to stem other forms of transnational organized crime.

"Through Kenya’s non-permanent member seat at the United Nations Security Council, Kenya further aims to contribute to global peace and security, with the ultimate goal being the attainment of sustainable development for the year 2021-2022," the President said.

President addressed other world leaders from State House, Nairobi, during a virtual meeting of the Aqaba Process on COVID-19 convened by King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The meeting brought together global leaders among them Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the link between the coronavirus pandemic and global security.

President Kenyatta said COVID-19 is a catalyst to global insecurity by amplifying pre-existing security and contributing socioeconomic difficulties.

"The pandemic has been a catalyst for underlying risk trends, with many countries facing sharply deteriorating political, security, criminal and governance situations."

President Kenyatta said the pandemic had slowed down global and regional crisis and conflict resolution efforts thereby escalating tensions and negating peace-building gains made over the years.

In the Horn of Africa, the President said, COVID-19 had heightened potential for terrorist acts, worsened the refugee crisis and led to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

To address security challenges made worse by COVID-19, President Kenyatta said frontline states in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism should be assisted by strengthening their capacities to deal with both emerging and pre-existing security challenges.

Prime Minister Trudeau called for the involvement of women in the global security conversation so as to ensure that diverse voices are heard.

The Canadian leader decried disinformation brought about by fake news saying it was fuelling anxiety among populations during the pandemic.

President Duterte pitched for "openness, deeper solidarity and collaboration" in the global response to COVID-19 and warned against unilateralism which, he said, was helping fuel insecurity.

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