Africa, Arab defence ministers focus on 'terrorism' in Egypt meet
officials of 27 African and Arab countries began a two-day meeting in Egypt that will explore counter-terrorism cooperation
Defence ministers and officials of 27 African and Arab countries began a two-day meeting in Egypt on Thursday that will explore military and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) members were meeting in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, where the Egyptian military deployed in force to secure the conference.
“The situation in the Sahel-Saharan states is very worrying,” said the Nigerien CEN-SAD Secretary General Ibrahim Sani Abani in his opening speech, citing weapons and narcotics trafficking, and militant groups such as Boko Haram.
“This phenomenon knows no boundaries and no state can protect only itself, it requires a coordinated and concerted response.”
In a statement, he had said the meeting would discuss draft agreements on military cooperation and conflict resolution, and drug and arms trafficking.
Several of the bloc’s members, including Egypt, are locked in wars with militant groups who have killed thousands of people in attacks and taken control of some territories.
“Terrorism and extremism presents a strong threat that has spread across all continents,” Egyptian Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi said in a speech, after calling for a moment of silence for victims of attacks.
In Egypt alone, Islamist militants have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and bombed a plane carrying Russian tourists that had taken off from Sharm El-Sheikh in October, killing 224 people.
The meeting in Sharm is the fifth CEN-SAD defence ministers’ meeting since the bloc’s founding in 1998.
The group was founded in part to promote a free trade area among member states.
Also Read
-
Egypt's Sisi says Russian plane downed by 'terrorism'
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi acknowledged militants brought down the Russian plane over Sinai Middle East -
Egypt’s top Muslim cleric says terrorism uses religion as front
The head of al-Azhar said condemned the Paris bloodshed and an attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in Mali on Friday Middle East -
Italy vows to help Egypt fight ‘terrorism’
Gentiloni called the consulate bombing a symbolic attack on Egyptian-Italian relations, “especially in counter-terrorism” Middle East -
Gulf states voice support for Egypt’s fight against terrorism
GCC earlier stood by Qatar in a row with Egypt over intervention in Libya Middle East -
Egypt adopts controversial anti-terror law
Egyptian President Sisi ratified an anti-terrorism law with possible suspension from employment, for 'false' reporting on militant attacks Middle East -
Egypt removes jail time for journalists in anti-terror bill
The bill is part of tough measures demanded by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as part of a crackdown on militants Television & Radio -
Egypt signals changes to anti-terror law after media backlash
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and several ministers met a group of senior editors to contain the backlash Television & Radio
