ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said on Saturday his organization will convene a summit of heads of counterterrorism agencies to tackle terror threats in Africa.
Speaking at Peace and Security Council conference at the 30th AU Summit being held in Ethiopia, he said terrorism is a transnational phenomenon that has become a threat to international peace, security and development.
Our goal is to exchange information and enhance cooperation and to develop new and innovative ways to tackle terrorism," he added.
Guterres emphasized with terrorism in many instances linking with transnational criminal syndicates in developing nations, the threat especially to African nations is increasing from time to time.
However, he said the threat of terrorism can't just be met through security and military means, political and economic measures are needed to tackle the terror threat.
"Understanding and addressing the root causes of terrorism, addressing the lack of economic opportunities, marginalization, exclusion and extreme poverty especially for youth who are the most at risk group is another anti-terror fight method," he said.
Samata Cessouma Minata, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, said on Friday terrorism makes countries hesitant to allow free movement of people and goods across their borders.
"We have no choice, to be a prosperous continent we should have a mechanism for free movement of people, but we need to have good security to prevent terrorists from planning cross-border terror acts," she said.
The issue of terrorism comes at a timely point for the AU as it prepares to launch three flagship projects to accelerate continental integration during its 30th summit which will conclude next Monday.
The three projects are the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), the free movement of persons and goods, and the implementation of Yamoussoukro decision on the single market and liberalization of air transport in Africa.
