ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) Commission on Tuesday expressed deep concern over sustained financing of terrorist activities in Africa.
The statement was made by the AU Peace and Security Council in a communique issued following its recent meeting on counter-terrorism in Africa.
"The council notes with deep concern sustained financing of terrorism activities, particularly the growing linkages between terrorism and transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, illicit exploitation and trade of mineral and natural resource, as well as illicit financial flows with debilitating impact on the national economies of the member states," the communique read.
It further expressed concern over the growing threat to peace, security and stability in Africa posed by the spread of terrorism and violent extremism throughout the continent, which is undermining the AU's efforts to silence the guns in Africa by 2030.
It said peace and security threats in Africa are derailing the progress toward the realization of the aspirations of Africa's development blueprint Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The council also "condemned in the strongest terms all acts of terrorism and violent extremism committed in the continent by whomsoever, wherever, which cannot be justified under whatever circumstances."
It reiterated the determination of the AU to rid Africa of terrorism and violent extremism. It further called on all member states to refrain from inciting, instigating, organizing, facilitating, participating in financing or encouraging terrorist activities.
The council encouraged AU member countries to take necessary measures to ensure that their respective territories are not used as terrorist sanctuaries. ■