Le rôle de la société civile dans la sensibilisation et la mobilisation contre le terrorisme mis en avant
On Sunday, in Algiers, the National Observatory of Civil Society (ONSC) and the African Union Centre for the Fight Against Terrorism (CUACT) organized a seminar titled « The Role of Civil Society in Promoting Peace and Combating Terrorism in Africa ». The event highlighted Algeria’s pioneering experience in countering terrorism as a model for other nations, while emphasizing the crucial role of civil society in raising awareness and mobilizing against this threat.
In her address, Ibtissem Hamlaoui, President of the ONSC, commended Algeria’s leadership in the fight against terrorism, crediting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who serves as the African Union (AU) Coordinator on terrorism prevention and combating violent extremism, for being widely recognized for Algeria’s efforts. She suggested that this initiative reflects Algeria’s commitment to preventing terrorism and violent extremism throughout Africa and aligns with the president’s directives to enhance civil society’s involvement in regional and international security, peace, and coexistence matters.
Idriss Mounir Lallali, President of the CUACT, characterized the seminar as a key milestone for collective action against terrorism and violent extremism in Africa. He noted that the signing of a protocol and action plan between the two organizations is a pivotal move towards fortifying the continent’s resilience against persistent terrorist threats. Lallali stressed that governments cannot singularly combat terrorism and highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive and inclusive approach that involves all societal components. He emphasized the significant contributions of civil society in developing peace discourse, combating extremist ideologies, and enhancing social cohesion.
Reflecting on Algeria’s experience, Lallali recounted the severe toll faced by the nation during the tumultuous 1990s, a period marked by extreme violence when the Algerian populace dealt with brutal terrorism. This experience, he argued, provides valuable lessons for addressing contemporary challenges.
Bakhta Selma Mansouri, the Secretary of State for African Affairs, remarked on the significance of the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among various stakeholders engaged in counter-terrorism efforts. She underscored that terrorism is a central concern for both civil society and the international community due to its severe implications for global security and peace. Mansouri pointed out that no country, regardless of its developmental status, is immune to the transnational threats posed by terrorism.
She noted that analyzing the current state and the troubling spread of terrorism in Africa calls for adopting coherent and effective strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of the phenomenon, particularly extremist ideologies. Emphasizing the importance of mobilizing civil society institutions, Mansouri called for proactive efforts to inform vulnerable populations about the gravity of this threat and for collaborating to counteract destructive ideologies targeting the youth.
During her address, Mansouri also reiterated that President Tebboune, in his capacity as AU Coordinator, had put forth practical proposals in his latest report to bolster the AU framework for combating terrorism and violent extremism, which received endorsement from African leaders.
The seminar included interactive sessions with experts engaging in discussions on various pertinent topics, such as « The Algerian Approach to Combating Terrorism: From Response to Security Engineering, » successful strategies for terrorism prevention among African societies, the contribution of civil society in migration, and the media’s role in establishing peace and security in Africa.
Significantly, the conference concluded with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the ONSC and CUACT, along with the introduction of a multi-dimensional cooperative action plan for the 2025-2028 period. This also initiated the establishment of a Civil Society Network focused on migration issues.
Through this initiative, Algeria aims to solidify its pioneering role and regional leadership in combating terrorism through collaboration with various civil society organizations across Africa. The ongoing dialogue, sharing of best practices, and commitment to cooperative efforts among nations are essential steps in advancing the shared goal of promoting peace and combatting the multifaceted challenge of terrorism in Africa.
