The fight against terrorism in Africa will remain difficult without stronger action against illicit financial flows, Nigeria has warned, urging the African Union to intensify efforts to cut off funding sources linked to extremist groups.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, issued the warning during the 1354th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council held virtually at ministerial level.
She said illegal financing networks have continued to provide terrorist organisations with resources to recruit fighters, acquire weapons, and sustain operations across the continent.
The minister identified kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, and other criminal activities as major sources of funding for extremist groups, adding that terrorists are also exploiting modern technologies to expand their activities.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu called for stronger international cooperation to trace, recover, and return proceeds of illicit financial flows to affected countries.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional efforts against terrorism, while urging African countries to implement commitments made at previous counter-terrorism summits.
The minister also cautioned against portraying Africa as the global centre of terrorism, warning that such narratives could expose innocent Africans to discrimination abroad.
She said Nigeria’s response to insecurity combines military action with non-military measures aimed at addressing the wider causes of terrorism.
