Foreign Ministry discusses terrorism threat
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the auspices of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, has held a special panel discussion under the topic: “The Threat of Terrorism in the West African Region and the Need for Greater Collaboration among West African Nations.”
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the forum held in the C. Cecil Dennis Jr. Auditorium on Friday, May 6, brought together stakeholders including sub-regional ambassadors, the representative of ECOWAS accredited near Monrovia, and security professionals to discuss and devise strategies for collaboration as well as find ways at preventing and combating terrorism within the sub-region.
The Policy Advisor at the National Security Agency, Mr. Edward Sharpe participated in the panel discussion; while former Information Minister, Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh served as moderator. The release said the reign of terror has elevated to a new level as fanatic groups such as Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab, and most recently the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS); the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL); and Islamic State (IS) not only killed thousands in the name of Islam, but sent millions of people around the world running for their lives, while followers have spread fear throughout the world.
Africa has not been spared the terror spate. The reemergence of the militant Islamic group, Boko Haram and its allegiance to Al-Qaeda and ISIS, has grown to present a threat not only to Nigeria, but also across Africa. The regional dimension of Boko Haram extends beyond attacks. The group’s criminal activities, such as arms smuggling and drug trafficking, involve several countries, including Chad, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Benin, Niger, Mali, Sudan, Somalia and Libya.
In the past few years, Boko Haram has killed thousands in its wave of terror attacks. Two and a half million people either fled across borders or are homeless in their own country. With terrorism spreading in Nigeria and among its neighbors, it’s even coming closer to Liberia. Press release
