UN Security Council enshrines role of President Tebboune as AU Champion in preventing and combating terrorism

Following a high-level debate on combating terrorism in Africa, held on 21 January 2025, chaired by Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, the UN Security Council adopted on Friday a presidential statement, proposed by Algeria in its national capacity, emphasizing the institutional mechanisms for countering terrorism across the African continent.

This presidential statement marks a significant evolution by, for the first time, recognizing at the highest international level the role of the African Union Champion for preventing and combating terrorism, assigned to the President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was chosen by his African peers to assume this heavy responsibility that weighs heavily on our continent given its disastrous and complex repercussions.

The key role of existing African mechanisms, particularly the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), the Unit on Counter-Terrorism of the African Standby Force, and AFRIPOL, demonstrate the growing maturity of the continental security architecture.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf emphasized during the January 21 debate that the current trajectory of terrorism in Africa is unsustainable, stressing the need for a new approach combining security and development, and strong African leadership supported by effective international partnerships. This vision was given concrete expression in the presidential statement, which consistently articulates security and development dimensions.

As a practical measure to keep this important issue at the heart of the debate, this significant Security Council document requests the UN Secretary-General to present annual reports on the joint efforts of the African Union and the United Nations in combating terrorism in Africa, establishing an unprecedented regular monitoring mechanism.

This action is a significant step in institutionalizing the partnership between the African Union and the United Nations in counter-terrorism efforts and ensures continuous examination of progress made in this area.