The 455th African Union Peace and Security Council meeting ended in Nairobi, Kenya, with African leaders including President Goodluck Jonathan, resolving to consider floating special fund to combat terrorism.
Consequently, the meeting resolved to table the proposal for consideration and approval at the next AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia later in the year.
Fielding questions from newsmen, after the meeting, the Chairperson of the Council, President Idris Debby of Chad, flanked by President Jonathan, posited that it is incumbent upon Africa leaders to raise funds to solve its own problems and stop the over- reliance on foreign aids.
The host President Uhuru Kenyatta put forward the proposal during the opening ceremony, arguing that African governments should take the issue of anti- terrorism funding seriously and complement this with the support coming from partners and friends outside the continent.
Debby said that Kenyatta’s proposal would be tabled for discussion in the next AU Summit. He recalled that yesterday’s PSC meeting was on its own a creation of the last AU Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
He spoke further, “We are looking for African solution. We have the means and capacity to face any given situation, even terrorism. We are not refusing support from abroad, but it is supposed to be an African problem and we should stop disturbing our friends and partners. We should stop the vicious circle.
Meanwhile, the communiqué issued after the Summit states that the Council, among other issues, warned African countries against payment of ransom and encouragement of financial terrorism.
The Council also urged member states to ensure their territories are not used as recruitment grounds for terrorists.
The Council also insisted that the fundamental human rights of civilians must be upheld at all times, in the fight against terrorism.
The communiqué also requested member states to submit annual reports to the Council on the steps they are taking to combat terrorism within their respective territories.