UN-backed Libyan government forces prepare to advance on Nov. 4, 2019. (Photo: CGTN)

New York (People’s Daily) – The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday convened, under China’s presidency, a debate on “Peace and Security of Africa: Countering Terrorism and Extremism” and unanimously adopted a presidential statement.

The participants highly commended China for convening the meeting as president of the Council and welcomed the adoption of the presidential statement.

They expressed the view that terrorism and extremism have become a serious threat to peace and security in Africa, and agreed to take a holistic approach to combat terrorism and extremism and help African countries strengthen capacity building, eradicate poverty and achieve socioeconomic development.

The meeting heard briefings given by Under-Secretary-General for political and peacebuilding affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, permanent observer of the African Union to the United Nations Fatima Kyari Mohammed on behalf of the AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Assistant-Secretary-General and special adviser to the UNDP Administrator Abdoulaye Mar Dieye.

Council members and representatives of Sierra Leone, Egypt, Djibouti, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Ethiopia, Sudan, Guinea, Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Eritrea, Angola, Senegal, Togo, Japan and the European Union made statements at the meeting.

African countries placed high importance on fighting terrorism and extremism and saw the meeting as a highly important and timely one fitting the needs of African countries.

The presidential statement put forth comprehensive, actionable and specific measures to help African countries combat terrorism and extremism and emphasized that the international community would help African countries strengthen capacity building, step up information sharing, border control and judicial systems, combat foreign terrorist fighters and terrorist financing, and achieve socioeconomic development through promoting employment, education and health programs to remove the breeding ground for terrorism in a bid to realize lasting peace and security in Africa.

The spread of terrorism and extremism in Africa has caused widespread concerns among African countries. They expect the international community to pay more attention.

Firmly committed to and supportive of Africa, China initiated the meeting to provide a platform of dialogue for member states to find ways to address inadequate capacity of African countries in combating terrorism and extremism, and pushing for international efforts to help African countries fight terrorism and extremism through a holistic approach to promote peace, stability and development in Africa.

The meeting produced good results and was highly appreciated by African countries and the international community.