Participants in the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to defeat ISIS, which convened in Marrakech have expressed concern over the proliferation of separatist movements in Africa, reaffirming their shared determination to continue the fight against Daesh.

In a communique issued by the 79 country representatives after the meeting, the participants noted with concern the proliferation of non-state actors, including separatist movements that generate destabilization and further vulnerability of African states and that ultimately favour Daesh/ISIS and other terrorist and violent extremist organization.

Under the auspices of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, the Africa Focus Group will bolster the civilian-led counterterror capabilities of African members of Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition, it said.

The Coalition stressed the need for the Africa Focus Group to foster synergies with other existing international, sub-regional and regional counterterrorism efforts and initiatives on the African continent.

The Ministers also recalled that the Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition will continue to be a civilian-driven effort by, with, and through African members, in line with the principles of national ownership, and in accord with the specific needs of African member states.

They also noted the nexus between separatist and terrorist movements acting in collusion, exploiting existing vulnerabilities in a way that multiplies their destabilizing impact.

In this sense, the participants emphasised the need to address the evolving threat of Daesh, especially in Africa, by strengthening the counter-terrorism capabilities of African members and taking into account the challenges and threats posed by the proliferation of non-state actors, including separatist groups, as a destabilizing factor and vulnerability in the region.

They also stressed the importance of addressing underlying causes of insecurity in Africa, while reiterating that any lasting solution to halting the spread of Daesh/ISIS on the continent will rely primarily on national authorities, as well as sub-regional and regional efforts and initiatives that acknowledge and address the political and economic drivers of conflict.

The Ministers emphasized the need to address the global Daesh/ISIS threat through holistic and comprehensive coordination of efforts, which are a hallmark of the Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition.

The statement said such efforts include the initiatives forwarded by the Defeat Daesh/ISIS Coalition Working Groups, including Communications, Counter ISIS Finance, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, and Stabilisation.

They also welcomed the first Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS meeting to be convened in Africa.

The Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS was held at the joint invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Resident Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

The event is a turning point in the commitment and international coordination in the fight against “Daesh”, with a particular focus on the African continent and the evolving terrorist threat in the Middle East and other regions.