Niamey hosts ECOWAS meeting on how to fight terrorism

Niamey, Niger (PANA) - Nigerien Minister for African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad, Ms. Lamido Ousseini Salamatou Bala Goga, on Tuesday called for more involvement from the civil society, customary chiefdoms and religious leaders towards the eradication of the phenomenon of terrorism. Opening a meeting on the fight against terrorism in the ECOWAS region, Ms. Bala Goga said that terrorism has become a worrying phenomenon today, which, beyond the Sahel countries, threatens peace and security and, consequently, the socio-economic development of all of West Africa. She pointed out that some recent terrorist events in non-Sahelian countries and in certain areas of the already affected countries attest to the now transboundary nature of the terrorist threat. This threat unfortunately has spread to the West African subregion, reaching countries or areas previously spared. Goga said that in addition to being a threat to peace and security, terrorism undermines the immense efforts of governments to ensure the well-being of their people. In the face of the expansionist trend of terrorist movements and groups, the Minister for African Integration advocatesv the necessary involvement of all stakeholders at all levels, state and non-state, with a view to appropriating solutions to stem the scourge. "With attacks on civilian and military targets, terrorism is killing families, countries" the minister said, adding that "it is imperative that the subregion make every effort to guarantee peace, security and stability in our communities." The first meeting of civil stakeholders on terrorism in the ECOWAS region began Tuesday in Niamey on the theme "fight against terrorism in the region of ECOWAS : towards a collective commitment for a lasting peace". Thevtwo-day meeting is being attended by state and institutional actors, customary and religious authorities, NGOs and organizations of civil society active in the fight against terrorism. Goga expressed the hope that relevant recommendations and suggestions will be yaken at the Niamey meeting to enable decision-making bodies of ECOWAS at the highest level, which will meet soon to adopt appropriate measures for an effective fight against terrorism. -0- PANA SA/BEH/KND/VAO 27Aug2019