Call for pooling of counter-terrorism monitoring systems
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) -At the opening of the 2025 African Regional Review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) in Cotonou on Wednesday, the President of Benin's National Assembly, Louis Vlavonou, called for the pooling of anti-terrorism surveillance systems.
Opening the meeting, which is being held under the theme "Twenty years of the World Summit on the Information Society in Africa: successes, challenges and prospects", Mr. Vlavonou drew the collective attention of the countries present in Cotonou and online to the use of digital technologies to promote terrorism, "a major challenge that continues to undermine our continent".
“While Africa is striving to build an inclusive and dynamic information society, our efforts remain vulnerable to the hydra of violent extremism. Terrorist groups and criminal networks today exploit digital technologies for propaganda, recruitment, funding and disinformation.
"While the Internet is a tool for emancipation and development, it can also become a field of darkness if we do not work together to strengthen our prevention and response mechanisms. This is why I am convinced that the World Summit on the Information Society must take a strong stand on this security issue,” he declared.
It calls for the WSIS to become an instrument for monitoring, coordination and cooperation between States, to develop robust digital strategies in the face of the asymmetric threats that plague societies.
“This means building the cybersecurity capacities of our institutions; pooling monitoring and early warning systems at regional level; adopting common standards in the fight against cybercrime and, above all, training an aware and resilient youth, capable of resisting hate speech and digital recruitment,” he said, stressing that "Africa cannot win the battle of digital development without winning the battle of security. And we will only win this battle together, in a spirit of solidarity, responsibility and enhanced international cooperation".
Launched on Wednesday, the 2025 African Regional Review of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20) is being organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the National Assembly of Benin and other stakeholders.
It brings together stakeholders from across the continent to reflect on Africa's digital transformation over the past two decades and to contribute to the development of a common regional position ahead of the WSIS+20 high-level event in July 2025.
It aims to foster an in-depth dialogue between African stakeholders on the implementation of the vision set out in the Summit outcome documents.
The meeting, which ends on Friday, offers Africa an exceptional opportunity to reflect on its digital transformation journey and chart a course towards inclusive and sustainable development.
By bringing together various stakeholders, it will help shape the continent's digital future and ensure that no one is left behind in the information society.
Some 30 countries from across the continent are represented in Cotonou, with others taking part online.
-0- PANA IT/IS/SOC/BBA/RA 14May2025
